I began preparing myself to join the team here at Hestia Solutions this past summer. They already had a tight grasp on what it is we are trying to do for the architecture industry and their clients, so I had some reading-up to do. As a layperson slowly educating myself about my two new favorite topics, I’ve started to get pretty excited about Green Initiatives in the architecture industry and building/ design sector.
As a consumer, I have not been financially prepared to build my own home so it never occurred to me to even ask myself, let alone anyone else, what kind of footprint the architecture industry leaves on the Environment. But now that my work centers on finding ways to improve aspects of the industry, I’ve started to work away at my little desk trying to answer my own questions. How bad can it be?
I came across some text I enjoyed reading in The Office for Robotic Architectural Media & Bureau for Responsive Architecture (ORAMBRA)’s CAAD For Responsive Architecture: http://www.orambra.com/sterkAUTODESSYS_07.html
Sterk, Tristan d'Estree (2006) CAAD For Responsive Architecture [Joint Study Report 2005-2006 Auto-des-Sys / ISBN-13: 978-0-9792943-0-3] (Columbus Ohio) April 2007, pp. 66-70 (ed., Murali Paranandi)
In this, Edward Mazria is quoted from his paper titled "It's the Architecture Stupid!" which attempts to explain the relationship between architecture, energy resources and the environment. The following of Mazria’s statements stood out to me:
1. in the USA, the architectural sector consumes 48% of all energy used, and
2. the architectural sector generates 46% of America's annual CO2 emissions
I’m going to have to do a little more digging to ensure I’ve not taken anyone’s research out of context or have missed some relevant point, but the proposed numbers do precisely what was intended: to make you pause for thought.
So architecture as an art and industry is under tremendous pressure these days. A sketchy economy requires more efficient designs and building processes and cost-effective materials. Growing concern about the environment is forcing architects and members of the design and building sector to implement environmental policies and explore creative, innovative and cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, educate themselves and consumers about the environmental effects of the products they choose, and reduce air pollution and solid waste. All of these adaptations and advancements come with a higher price tag, but I think consumers’ attitudes are also changing and despite tighter purse strings, they are willing to invest in quality and eco responsibility.
My draw to green initiatives and innovation in architecture has made me more excited about our Approve Your Plan© system. We’ve come up with an innovative drawing review and approval system for architects, planners, designers and professionals that is completely paperless. This is quite significant in terms of environmental responsibility.
A paper-dependant firm experiences higher operating costs, such as purchasing materials and relying on courier and postal services for delivery. Using paper for all drafts, revisions and audit trails squanders precious resources such as trees and when you consider the harmful emissions produced by daily functions such as courier deliveries, paper dependency is the antithesis of green initiatives within the industry.
Happily, our solution saves resources and reduces operating costs. Approve Your Plan© is a web-hosted application that allows all files to be uploaded, marked-up, reviewed and shared online with clients and contracted professionals. The paperless system allows for a fully-functioning and viewable file to be delivered into the “hands” of the right people without wasting paper for all drafts and revisions and without wasting money and fuel for courier services. Because paper usage is necessary to complete some business transactions, all of our users have the option to print drawings and audit trails in paper form whenever necessary.
We are happy to do our part! See for yourself how Approve Your Plan will conform to your green initiatives while preserving resources, both in nature and in your bank account. Try the full version FREE for 7 Days:
http://hestiasolutions.com/applications-7daytrial.php
Update Dec. 5/08: Check out the commentary posted on flavorwire.com:
