Simons Architects’ Post

36. Industrial ecology and green design P478 In essence, engineering is concerned with the creation of products and processes. With its focus of system-wide resource flows, industrial ecology is a major source of such approaches. https://lnkd.in/ggBKy3nb

One of the main goals of Dr Nico Tillie, head of the Urban Ecology Design group, is to provide more space for nature on the TU Delft campus. Traditionally, Urban Ecology has been dominated by biologists, Nico explains. "But during the past decade or so, it has become increasingly clear that this research area benefits enormously from visions from other fields, such as landscape architecture or urban planning. They can give a more practical interpretation to the ideas from Urban Ecology." One of the main projects undertaken by Nico and his team is ECOCampus. It serves a double purpose: making the campus a nicer place for people and creating links in Delft's ecological web. #biodiversity #urbanecology Read more: https://lnkd.in/eh3Uchw

We've all seen movies and artwork depicting futuristic green cities with towering buildings and cascading vegetated rooftops that seem to defy reality, but reality may be closer than you think! 🌳🏢 The popularity of green rooftops and urban agriculture is gaining momentum given the enormous benefits to ecosystem services and the aesthetic values they provide. In fact, many cities are beginning to mandate green rooftops for new development.    In our latest blog, Associate Ecologist Daniel Marsden explores the rise of green rooftops, their many ecological benefits, and Great Ecology's unique work on one of the largest green roof projects in North America! https://lnkd.in/gRX3ZTYN #GreenRoofs #Ecology #Sustainability #GreenInfrastructure #LandscapeArchitecture #EcologicalDesign

ecology and sustainability, organic free design, makes integration between architecture and environmental aspects

The coalescence of ecology, agriculture, conservation biology, and architecture is an evolving interest of mine. I dream of harmonious landscapes that foster biodiversity of wildlife, native species, thriving ecosystems, and human connection to place. I dream of work so that I may design with beauty and functionality combined. This TEDx Talk wonderfully articulated a version of that dream. I admire the multidisciplinary approach to solutions on how to restore and beyond that, regenerate a landscape with respect to its deep cultural and biological ties. A project involving this level of stewardship and scale requires a thoughtful understanding of the complex ecological systems. The hard work and patience needed to implement solutions, collect data, interpret findings, and then document in such a way that enriches people is fascinating.   It is inspiring to see this type of future thinking towards the broader ecological context. This presentation on restoration has restored me! I hope to one day be a part of an integrated stewarding project like this, blending my passion for environmental design, science, and art. 

Our Design Guide for New House Planning Applications provides expert insights covering: location, the brief, planning, costs, sustainability, appearance, parking, neighbours, landscape & ecology. https://lnkd.in/gYivZHM9 #newhouse #newhome #traditionalhome #traditionalhouse #traditionalarchitecture #planningpermission #planningapplication

Our Design Guide for New House Planning Applications provides expert insights covering: location, the brief, planning, costs, sustainability, appearance, parking, neighbours, landscape & ecology. https://lnkd.in/gYivZHM9 #newhouse #newhome #traditionalhome #traditionalhouse #traditionalarchitecture #planningpermission #planningapplication

Urban Ecology focuses on the interaction between organisms (including humans) and the non-living urban environment, such as buildings, water, the subsurface and so on. Interest in this first emerged in the post-war period, as all kinds of new opportunities for life arose amidst the rubble. Urban Ecology has traditionally been dominated by biologists, explains Tillie. This makes sense when you consider that the specialisation has its origins in the Green movement. ‘Over the last decade or so, it’s become increasingly clear that this field of research can benefit hugely from perspectives from other domains, such as landscape architecture and urbanism. People from those disciplines are more designers than biologists, which enables them to take a more practical approach to the ideas of Urban Ecology.’ ‘Partly because of the major contribution made by biologists, the main focus used to be on biodiversity (which remains a crucial component). But Urban Ecology can have a positive influence in many other areas in addition to biodiversity, such as climate adaptation, health, water and energy consumption and circularity. Especially on a campus such as ours, Urban Ecology should be right at home.’ #snsinstitutions #snsdesignthinkers #designthinking

INTEGRATING PUBLIC URBAN LANDSCAPES WITH FOOD PRODUCTION Landscapes Good Enough to Eat was the title of my thesis for my Degree and it was certainly the most stressful year of my life up till then. But I had fun along the way; there were only three of us that year so classes were intimate and we had no roster expect the project headline, "turn this abandoned, fragmented and accidental park into something functional". I dove in the theory of Gaia and how people of all industries need to work together and operate in symbiosis to help protect the planet and minimize our greenhouse emissions. Deep Ecology also played a huge role in my discussion and brought to light its 8 principles summarized and reworked by George Sessions and Arne Naess. They highlighted the difference between Deep Ecology and Sustainability. Namely how Deep Ecology is centered around the wellbeing of nature and how Sustainability is human orientated. These two should not work separately, but rather SYMBIOTICALLY. Solutions like Hydroponics and Aquaponics (incorporating fish into hydroponics) were discussed and precedent studies from all over the world where highlighted; Oranjesicht City Farm (Cape Town), 18onBroadway (Kansas) and Brooklyn Grange. I was certainly proud of all the work I had put into my final document and looking back I certainly agree with the younger me, "The main point is that there needs to be a level of honesty, permeability and educational value. This way, the general public can be rest assured in knowing what they are eating and where it came from and how to teach others to do the same in order to spread the idea and concept of sustainability and self-sufficiency."

Cleanliness is not only in the application of water to worship, but also in safety aspects for daily usage like drinking and recreation. One of the approaches in landscape ecology, known as phytotechnology, makes use of engineering, science, and plants as living technology to address ecological issues. Phytotechnology refers to the use of plants in technology, while ‘phyto’ refers to plants. https://lnkd.in/epQPp46C #newbook #environment #plantscience #energy #lifesciences