An environmental research and education facility

Abstract

The creation of a healthier world begins with an understanding that architecture is not only the creation of aesthetically pleasing or functional buildings. Architecture needs to be tailored to the surrounding site and landscape in order to create a whole environment which will begin to replenish the natural world. Architecture con replenish the natural world by creating environments that provide opportunities for regrowth and resurgence of the natural environment. Architecture needs to incorporate the natural environment, using the natural energies to create livable environments. By depending upon the natural energies of the natural world, such as solar radiation and wind, we begin to release our grasp upon the fossil fuels which we have come to depend upon so heavily, and begin to give back to Mother Earth. The natural environment provides many patterns of design, such as simple shelter provided by trees, caves and rocks and patterns of life. Architecture needs to depend upon natural flows particularly energy flows. The cycles of the earth, seasons, light and dark, life and death, need to be celebrated. We need to regain and build upon the knowledge of the environment that our ancestors had, and get back to our roots. We are part of the natural process, and cannot survive if we remove ourselves from nature. The facility will be an environmental education and research center. The center will be sited in the Albuquerque area and be associated with University of New Mexico, The arid climate of Albuquerque will allow the exploration of solar principles and the layout of a multibuilding facility demanding new or old solutions to questions, which have been ignored for so long. The center will offer courses of study in the following areas: agriculture, aquaculture, architecture, and landscape architecture. Residential units for students and faculty to live in will be provide within the center. The education of the students will require them to attend lectures and discussions as well as participate in the research programs that will take place within the center. Besides residential units the facilit/ will provide offices, dining area, kitchen, library, and laboratories. The center will be designed to accommodate 150 students and 8 professors

Description

Keywords

Environmental education., Research institutes -- Designs and plans.

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