Architectural design and/or sustainable building: A question of language?

Abstract

Achieving peer acknowledged excellence in architectural design is widely considered to be the pinnacle of achievement for any practicing Architect. Indeed, at the heart of the learning outcomes of any architectural education is an emerging notion of what Architectural excellence is and indeed, notably, this includes knowing how to speak about it. Thus, conveying the professional skill of understanding and knowledge of architectural design language. Living alongside this is the widely acknowledged need for the built environment broadly - and buildings specifically - to respond to the environmental, economic and social requirements of sustainability. This apparent dichotomy of approach has brought about a schism in design practices, whereby sustainable buildings are largely perceived as worthy, pragmatic; but perhaps soulless, while outstanding architecture remains something ‘other’. This paper aims to explore the languages involved in describing and discussing excellence in these two diverging fields, with an aim to find a nexus between them, resulting in a refinement in architectural practice that might enable Sustainable Design Excellence to become the norm rather than an exception.