SUNDAY, FEB 5, 2023: NOTE TO FILE

Module 5-6

Social strategies

      Design to enable personal fulfilment and social capital can be facilitated through Cohousing / Ecovillage developments wherein the form and shape of facilities are spatially arranged to maximize social interactions and a community ethos along like-minded sustainable lifestyles.  Furthermore, social interactions are planned among stakeholders as a collaborative design process with an emphasis on community governance and design integration of form and functional spaces (An insight into this collaborative design process can be explored at this weblink).  This lays the foundation for Cohousing as a socially sustainable model which helps to build social cohesion and community capacity.  It also empowers individuals, households and communities to address social, environmental and economic needs.  Social strategies inform both the 3-D aspect as in the form and shape of Cohousing, and also, the 2-D aspect in the spatial layout form.

As a sustainability strategy, the Cohousing model can be seen as a microcosm of a future sustainable society wherein it can help transform design approaches for housing and urban development.  The aspirations of Cohousing residents are social and not material-consumerist, and they are usually pro-actively involved in environmental action.  Consequently, Cohousing residents generally live in smaller dwellings than ‘normal’; they share household and other consumer goods; they grow their own organic food in significant quantities; and, they also manage waste and recycling particularly well.

• Site design for user interaction can be facilitated through Cohousing / Ecovillage developments that provide a balance between private, social and workspaces, whilst simultaneously reducing ones building footprint through sharing of facilities.  The sustainability benefits of Cohousing demonstrate efficient land use through the clustering of dwellings and sharing of facilities, which in turn, frees up land for other purposes, such as, children’s playlot, small business workshop facilities, circulation space, food garden, etc.  The sharing principles of Cohousing reduces the need for car ownership and associated parking spaces since a smaller pool of vehicles, albeit with a wider functionality, such as, motorbikes, small cars, delivery van, combi-bus, etc., can better service the community transport needs.  Some of the generic concept plans for Cohousing layouts which create spatial opportunities for social interaction are shown in Figure below.

Generic concept plans for Cohousing layouts

• Communications via WiFi, fibre optics and broadband are an emerging feature in “smart city” solutions wherein hyper-connectivity is becoming the norm.  The European Commission defines smart cities as: “A smart city is a place where traditional networks and services are made more efficient with the use of digital and telecommunication technologies for the benefit of its inhabitants and business.  A smart city goes beyond the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for better resource use and less emissions.  It means smarter urban transport networks, upgraded water supply and waste disposal facilities and more efficient ways to light and heat buildings.  It also means a more interactive and responsive city administration, safer public spaces and meeting the needs of an ageing population”. 

However, “some experts believe that the notion of smart cities has been overly driven by hi-tech companies”, for various reasons.  These experts go on to say that, “Given this situation and the belief by some that the planning, design and construction of future cities requires an integrated approach to achieve successful outcomes, alternative terminology has been suggested.  The term 'The Living City' refers to an approach in which technology plays an important but nevertheless supporting role (Ref Buro Happold: The Living City)”.

Figure 5.20: The relationship between Smart Cities and the Living City. Image by Buro Happold. Source: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Smart_cities_engineering#Smart_city_vs_living_city

 

• Architectural design for the soul appeals to something beyond vernacular design and a sense of place, but also designing for a whole quality of life wherein the environment nourishes the soul.  In his book, “Spirit and Place (2002, page187)”, Christopher Day states this more poignantly as: “For wholeness – the basis of health – we need nourishment at every level.  The complex and dynamic organization of the physical body underpins our relationship to spatial qualities.  Life enhancing qualities around us support our life energies. Colour, harmony, multi-sensory delight supports our feeling life, particular moods redressing personal and situational imbalances. … Buildings built upon these principles are buildings to nurture the whole human being”.

This echoed by David Pearson, founder of the Ecological Design Association in the UK and co-founder of Gaia International, an innovative group of ecologically responsible and inspired architects, believes that “far from expensive technological dreams, we need a down to earth vision – a future home integrated into a sustainable lifestyle for all of us.”  He argues: “Whether old or new, future housing will need to employ life-supporting systems.  Materials, and spatial designs that meet the health, conservation and spiritual criteria” (Pearson, 1998, p.57) listed in the ‘Gaia House Charter’.  The box below is list of criteria for holistic sustainable building was drawn up by the members of Gaia International.  Many such houses have already been built and many old existing structures have been converted with these principles in mind.  These are the beginnings of a complete transformation of the existing building stock to meet the long-term requirements of sustainable living.

The Gaia House Charter for Healthy and Sustainable Building (Reproduced and adapted from Pearson, 1998, p.57) Designing for Harmony with the Planet: Site, orient, and shelter the home to make best and conserving use of renewable resources. Use the sun, wind, and water for all or most of your energy needs and rely less on supplementary non-renewable energy Use green materials and products – non-toxic, non-polluting, sustainable, and renewable, produced with low energy and low environmental costs, and biodegradable or easily reused and recycled. Design the house to be intelligent in its use of resources and complement natural mechanisms, if necessary, with efficient control systems to regulate, heating, cooling, water, airflow and lighting. Integrate the house with the local ecosystem, by planting indigenous tree and flower species. Compost organic wastes, garden organically, and use natural pest control – no pesticides. Recycle greywater and use low-flush or waterless toilets. Collect, store, and use rainwater. Design systems to prevent export of pollution to the air, water, and soil. Designing for Peace and Spirit Make the home harmonious with its environment – blending in with the community, the building styles, scale and materials around it. Participate with others at every scale, using personal ideas and skills of all in order to seek a holistic living design Use proportions, forms and shapes that are harmonious, creating beauty and tranquillity. Use colours and textures of natural materials and natural dyes, paints, stains to create a personal and therapeutic colour environment. Site and design the house to be life enhancing, and increase the wellbeing or vital force chi, of its occupants. Connect the home with Gaia and the natural world and the rhythms and cycles of the Earth, its seasons, and its days. Make the home a healing environment in which the mind and the spirit can be free and flourish. Designing for Health of the Body Create a healthy indoor climate by allowing the house to breathe, and use natural materials and processes to regulate temperature, airflow and quality. Site the home away from harmful EM [electro-magnetic] radiation from power lines and also away from negative ground radiation. Design to prevent the build-up of static and EMF [electro- magnetic fields] from domestic equipment, and to avoid interference with beneficial cosmic and terrestrial radiation. Provide safe and healthy air and water, free from pollutants (radon especially), with good humidity, negative-ion balance, and pleasant fragrance from herbs, materials, and polishes. Use natural airflow and ventilation. Create a quiet home, protect and insulate from external and internal noise, and a pleasant, sound- healthy environment. Design to allow sunlight and daylight to penetrate, and thus rely less on artificial lighting.