J06

Design and the Environment

The environment is something I am passionate about.  If our world continues on the industrial-driven path that it has traveled for the past century, it is almost a guaruntee that our way of life will change drastically, and not in a beneficial way.  While reading Cradle to Cradle, I have become more concerned about the earth's future.  My generation has the power to fix the damage done in the past.  Designers have one of the hardest jobs: coming up with new ideas and products that result in improving our world, not harming it.  I believe that relating design and environment is the most important aspect of the vast world of design.  If the betterment of human life is the essence and goal of production, then creating that which enhances and protects life should be one of the prevelant concerns of everyone, but designers in particular.



This environmental design program was very interesting to me because it stressed that this course is not one based solely on a single discipline.  Many other ideas and activites are involved, such as computer technology, painting, and others.  Environmental design can be used to benefit society and aid in all aspects of design, not just the environment and only the environment.




I love how a goal of this project was to use renewable resources and recycle them back into the environment.  It also shows that the discipline of environmental design is linked to other disciplines, in this case, architecture.  Working together allowed the students to come up with a plan that was functional and beneficial.

http://www.reddawn.com/featart11.html
Texas' Green Building Program is one that I believe should expand throughout the world.  Their focus on the conservation of natural resources, the preservation of the environment, and promotion of the economy and health of citizens is more than admirable.  The article goes deeper into explaining the new ideas planned out for the American home; a smaller, more energy efficient space able to serve a variety of purposes.  In particular, the plans for windows and lighting are extremely interesting, especially that which states that windows will soon become remote controlled to adjust to light and privacy.

http://www.reddawn.com/featart1-98.html
After reading this article, I have one thing to say: bamboo is amazing.  Knowing what we know about its benefits, it is a wonder to me that products made of this incredible plant are not more prevelant in the market.  Almost every aspect of the production and function of bamboo beats other means.  I believe that designers today can use this resource in a wide variety of ways, considering especially its environmental benefits.  Its extreme durability and attractive look can make it a new contender in being one of the most used products designers can apply to a wide variety of items, including the building of houses and furniture.

http://www.reddawn.com/featart4-98.html
The many advantages of synthetic decking heavily outweigh its competitors, in my opinion.  As stated in the article, it is impervious to insects and moisture, and can come in an extensive variety of looks.  The use of recycled materials to produce something like this has also given rise to the ability to manufacture other things just as efficiently.  Besides being a prime contender for home and garden use, other products rendered from recycled materials are taking shape.  Environmental designers, along with any designer, can take into account the many benfits that recycled materials have to offer.  Far from only preserving and benefitting the environment, many of these products are more durable and client friendly than products made from other more detrimental materials.