Toward a New Regionalism: Environmental Architecture in the Pacific Northwest

About this book

Green design is the major architectural movement of our time. Throughout the world architects are producing sustainable buildings in an attempt to preserve the environment and our globes natural resources. However current strategies for forming sustainable solutions are typically too general and fail to take advantage of critical geographical environmental and cultural factors particular to a specific place. By focusing on the Pacific Northwest this book provides essential lessons to architects and students on how sustainable architecture can and should be shaped by the unique conditions of a region. Pacific Northwest regionalism has consistently supported an architecture aimed at environmental needs and priorities. This book illuminates the history of a "green trail" in the work of key architects of the Northwest. It discusses environmental strategies that work in the region organized according to natures most basic elementsearth air water and fireand their underlying principles and forces. The book focuses on technologies materials and methods with a final section that examines thirteen exceptional Northwest buildings in detail and in light of their contributions to sustainable architecture. Critical case studies by Northwest architects illustrate some of the best environmental design work in North America. Notable architects from Seattle Portland and British Columbia are included. These projects feature innovative design in water and site stewardship intelligent technologies passive energy strategies ecologically sound building materials and environmentally sensitive energy management systems.