Back to the Start

MYD studio's post for Blog Action Day 2011

If you haven't had the opportunity to watch this video yet, it's a beautiful stop motion that makes a simple and inspired statement about the value of connectedness. If you're having trouble seeing the it below, click here to watch the video in a browser.

So, with that image still in mind, I thought I'd a closer look at the local food system, as we're seeing a cultural shift towards community gardens and urban farming- people and neighborhoods going 'back to the start'. The connection between place, values, and sustainability is demonstrated in various ways through the implementation of these locally-based programs and efforts.

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The 2011 Buckminster Fuller Challenge

"You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."  -R.  Buckminster Fuller

In accordance with this philosophy, the Buckminster Fuller Institute maintains his legacy, ethic, methodology and perspective to help enact change and improve ecological and social conditions on a global scale. 

image:  bfi.org

‘Doing more with less’ was a key tenet of Bucky’s philosophy, as he was an early leader in the movement towards sustainability, technology, environmental responsibility and experimental design.  Best known for his geodesic dome and the Dymaxion house, Buckminster Fuller employed a broad, whole-systems perspective to inform these projects and many others.  More specifically, he was a primary proponent of 'Comprehensive Anticipatory Design Science' as a means of problem-solving in a holistic, open and inclusive manner, with a consideration of the future of both the environment and its inhabitants.

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Preservation, Art + Urban Renewal

It's springtime in New York...  and this season, locals and visitors alike will be enjoying growth and renewal in both the natural and built landscapes, as the city’s highly successful and well-received redevelopment project, the High Line Park Park: Section 2,  opens next month.

image: thehighline.org

As discussed in a previous post, the reuse and preservation of this previously abandoned 1.5 mile elevated rail system was designed to have a positive environmental impact, as well as to encourage and promote cultural engagement and provide for public art opportunities. 

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Collaboration + Community

Integrated project design and the collaborative process is an widely discussed topic in the realm of sustainable architecture, and the benefits of a shared and interactive approach to problem-solving have been well-documented.  When implemented correctly, this translates to reduced overall project costs, more satisfied and informed clients, and increased team productivity and unity, as understanding and communication are key elements of integrated, collaborative design.

Beyond the building and construction industry, however, this concept of open communication and shared resources has the potential of far-reaching effects. When applied to the many other facets of living sustainably, this new paradigm of development and means of thinking could be the key to creating resilient and empowered communities...

Stop by Inspired Design Daily today, where I'm guest-blogging today on the prospects of open source collaboration and the potential to create self-sustaining communities.

Thanks, and have an inspired weekend! 

The High Line + Urban Redevelopment

Sustainable design is as much about the larger context of neighborhood development and urbanism as it is about each building.  Addressing related social, cultural, and economic factors is essential to a sustainable future.  Architecture and urban design can and should be employed to foster stronger communities, greater opportunity, and a higher quality of life for individuals and societies. 

Integrated design from this broad perspective is crucial in this regard, and the movement to preserve existing natural environments, in conjuntion with increased urban density and the need for functional and meaningful public spaces, has shifted the building industry's focus towards retrofits, preservation, and adaptive reuse. 

© Iwan Baan

The High Line Park is a fairly recent example of how thoughtful design and urban renewal can increase property values, encourage pedestrian access and social interaction, as well as introduce nature within a dense, urban context.

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