Deconstructing Sustainability Perceptions: Investigating Technological Innovation-Environmental Interaction in Green Buildings and the Influence of Architectural Design

Abstract

Sustainability principles impact green building infrastructure design, planning and construction decisions. The influence of social perceptions in transforming notions of green architecture and sustainable designs as desirable are also interesting contexts for urban design researchers in addressing environmental impacts. The aim of this paper is to discuss a breadth of available literature on architectural sustainability, and the many effects of urbanisation. Few scholars have attempted to frame qualitative discussions of sustainability perceptions with regards technological interaction with built environments. Research utilises two green building design frameworks to analyse differences between sustainability perceptions of innovation and environmental design aesthetics, namely technological innovation interaction with architecture, and architectural design interaction with nature. Findings from case studies of three examples namely The Port of Portland, The Pompidou Centre Paris, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s First Unitarian Society are deconstructed using qualitative approach to demonstrate that while architectural interaction with nature is viewed as ideal characteristics, green building design innovations with technological interactions play a larger role in influencing social perceptions towards sustainability. Findings suggest that green buildings should encompass a wider range of aesthetic-based designs, from passive ventilation to lighting systems and materials, but in order to sustain positive stakeholders’ perceptions, social benefits and education among green building policymakers, designers and architects is crucial. Recommendations on how to cultivate a balance in pragmatic, cost-conscious approaches, including interactions with technologies, will be discussed in conclusion.