Critical Analysis: The Green Designs and Modern Constructions Paper Example

Modern interior architecture and design are conforming to the socio-ecological world today. Therefore, this critical essay analyzes two articles: "Sustainable Architecture and the Pluralist Imagination" and "Building information modeling for sustainable design and LEED rating analysis," in an attempt to understand how environmental concerns inform the practice of interior architecture and design.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

In Guy and Moore's (2007) article "Sustainable Architecture and the Pluralist Imagination," the debate on the need for green designs and modern constructions today is discussed with a shift to a pluralist approach. It examines sustainable architecture today by conforming to the pluralism philosophy and rejecting epistemology and moral relativism. By using these two basic points, the article proposes for a research agenda for an architecture that is based on the pragmatist approach rather than theory. The world today has become globalized and industrialized giving rise to the overwhelming economic, political, and social concerns about the environment. As a result, there have been ongoing debates about sustainable architecture for over three decades and the type of environmental practice best suited for the ecological world (Guy and Moore, 2007). However, most of these debates have failed to provide an adequate answer by stipulating a universal environment practice that can be used by all interior designers and architects. Hence, the debate continues as many architects and designers seek to connect sustainability and societal, environmental demands. Sustainability in buildings is created when green building elements are used in design and clients' requests are adhered to (Nelson, 2010). However, rather than arguing about the social or technological considerations needed to make a revolution in design and architecture, the article argues that sustainability is a matter of situation interpretation. It does not attempt to dismiss environmental concerns as insignificant but enhance the debate about sustainable architecture by using the social sciences of culture and nature.

As to solve the environmental and social problems being witnessed globally, there is a need to apply an appropriate practice in building and construction. The best practice as defined by Guy and Moore (2007) should be considerate of the social practices instead of concentrating on the debate between constructivists and realists. When the authors advocate for practice, they align the thesis of their essay that is, using a pragmatic approach rather than idealistic views. Consequently, sustainability by conforming to pluralism is achieved because for the best practice to become effective it has to be based on the mutual respect of other people's cultures. It is evident that too much attention has been paid on defining environmental problems whereby appropriate sustainability is developed by technological means such as energy conservation. In an analytical study, it was found that sustainable energy performance of green buildings can be transformed to lower CO2 emissions into the atmosphere (GhaffarianHoseini et al., 2013). Such a study represents so many other studies that have grounded their efforts into analyzing their findings by assumption. It does not pay attention to what people say or want. On the other hand, Guy and Moore are more interested in exploring individuals and institutions' perception of what environmental innovation is about. By understanding people's perceptions, a more realistic and productive practice can be applied in modern constructions of buildings. Contemporary interior architects and designers should cease to view green buildings as technical structures but as social structures informed by people's ideas.

The research article "Building information modeling for sustainable design and LEED rating analysis" by Azhar, Carlton, Olsen, and Ahmad (2011) depicts the use of technology in the development of modern constructions and green buildings. The authors conducted a case study at Salisbury University's School of Business to demonstrate the implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in creating sustainable buildings. Also, it describes the certification process by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED. The article is a shift from the previous one because it conforms to the belief that the sustainability in green buildings and other modern constructions can be achieved through technology. Sustainable designs are widely dominating the building sector because of the increase in environmental concerns. Due to these concerns, the norm green architecture, which is defined as an architecture that is considerate of the global needs of society (Nelson, 2010), has become widely used. Moreover, many rating systems have been established to access the construction of these sustainable buildings that are becoming a part of society, especially in developed counties. Since every company today wants to develop green buildings due to the demand made by environmental concerns, certification from these rating systems is crucial at the initial stages of construction (Azhar et al., 2011). Therefore, the case study seeks to show architects and designers how they can use BIM for sustainable buildings to get a LEED certification. The study achieved this purpose by using experiences of professionals involved in BIM and LEED certification.

Conclusion

The case study was theoretic but at the same time realistic because it provided solutions for the problem. It identifies a suitable technology, BIM that offers sustainable building designs that conform to the environmental needs of society. According to Azhar et al. (2017), BIM allows sustainability measures to be included in the design process of green buildings. The system connects multi-disciplinary information with one model, thus allowing sustainability. Most designs that have been created cannot solve the sustainability crisis because they are often focused on a product's physical characteristics such as material construction (Stegall, 2006). Hence, a product should be focused not only on its use but also on the technology it uses in providing sustainable living. However, there exist a few factors hindering the use of technologies in creating sustainable buildings. For instance, the study found no relationship between LEED certification and BIM sustainability analyses. The idea of creating a product that is technological environment-friendly should be applied by interior architects and designers around the globe. Before this can be implemented, architects can utilize information technology to geographically locate building sites about environmental factors (Azhar et al., 2017). Hence, BIM software can be used as an information model in the building of the environment-friendly situated buildings. The article managed to show that BIM-based sustainability software is much faster than other traditional methods. Thus, it could save on time and resources. Contemporary architects and designers need such a product to develop more green buildings that submit to the needs of people.

Reference List

Azhar, S., Carlton, W.A., Olsen, D. and Ahmad, I. 2011. Building information modeling for sustainable design and LEED rating analysis. Automation in construction, 20(2), pp.217-224.

GhaffarianHoseini, A., Dahlan, N.D., Berardi, U., GhaffarianHoseini, A., Makaremi, N. and GhaffarianHoseini, M. 2013. Sustainable energy performances of green buildings: A review of current theories, implementations, and challenges. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 25, pp.1-17.

Guy, S. and Moore, S.A. 2007. Sustainable architecture and the pluralist imagination. Journal of architectural education, 60(4), pp.15-23.

Nelson, H.C. 2010. Piece to the Puzzle: Sustainable Elements Fitting Together. Faculty of The College of Architecture, University of Nebraska, pp. 27-87.

Stegall, N. 2006. Designing for sustainability: A philosophy for ecologically intentional design. Design Issues, 22(2), pp.56-63.