Architects have a duty to address the problems of the profession as it relates to climate change, architect Michael Green says.
He believes it is a duty of care in the same way doctors address an accident scene - triage. Triage asks us to tackle the most serious issues first and then work our way to the less significant.
Triaging buildings means to look at the impact of the materials and the energy consumed during construction and during the life of the building first.
"Often today's 'green architecture' is one of covering up the small scratches and ignoring the massive wound. I believe the materials we build with are something we can easily address to make an enormous difference that will lead us to carbon neutral and in time negative buildings," Green says.
Green is principal at Canadian firm McFarlane Green Biggar Architecture, which is based in Vancouver. He was born in a small Inuit (Eskimo) community but has gone on to design buildings or all sizes around the world.
Green will be delivering a keynote speech at WoodSolutions 2010 on evolving systems and designs in wood to tackle the significant negative environmental impact of buildings. He believes innovative uses of wood technology that offer new ways of constructing efficient and affordable structures that demand less of the environment while maintaining functionality and aesthetic appeal.
WoodSolutions 2010 will be held in:
- Sydney, Tuesday, September 7
- Melbourne, Thursday, September 9
- Brisbane, September 15
