Ecoarchitecture: description, features, interesting facts and reviews

Ecoarchitecture is a special architectural concept that takes into account, first of all, environmental factors when designing a human habitat. The main principles of this concept were developed by the Italian architect Paolo Soleri. Also, the eco-architecture is understood as the realization of the idea that due to well-planned hyperstructures that accommodate the population of a single city, it is possible to significantly reduce the negative impact of a person on the environment.

How did the idea of eco-architecture appear?

The ecoarchitecture originated after it became clear that the urban settlements began to occupy an unreasonably large territory. This situation began to take shape in many countries. Damage to the environment, which was applied to the city, was huge.

The main element of this architectural concept is to reduce the area occupied by urban residents by moving them to a three-dimensional hyperstructure. At the same time the author of the idea of Paolo Soleri did not confine himself exclusively to environmental considerations. He began to develop his project in a social direction. In his plan, the new hyperstructures had to help more efficient planning, the greatest use of public transport. Ultimately, this would lead to an increase in population density. At the same time, it would help to get rid of most of the problems inherent in megacities.

It is noteworthy that it was not Soleri who first came up with this idea. Ecological architecture was first described, as is often the case, in an artwork. The ideas that took the basis of Soleri, first laid out in his science fiction novel "When the Sleeper wakes up" Herbert Wells.

Transforming the idea into reality

Currently, the most popular project of this architectural concept is called Arkosanti. It is a city in the USA, designed by Soleri himself. Since 1970, its construction is conducted by students-enthusiasts. It fully corresponds to such a concept as "eco-architecture".

However, it can not be considered successful. While the settlement is designed for 3-5 thousand people, only about 100 volunteers live in it. At the same time, it is possible to successfully implement educational and tourist projects on this site. At the moment, Arkosanti is visited annually by about 5 thousand people.

What do the firms called "Ecoarchitecture"

In Russia today there are no such settlements, but many companies have opened, whose work is, to some extent, connected with the environment. Many of them are called - "Ecoarchitecture."

Some of them, for example, are engaged in urgent wholesale purchase of food products. And products with expiring or expired shelf life, problematic lots of food and other illiquid. This is the responsibility of OOO Ecoarchitecture (Moscow and Moscow Region). Subsequently, food products are recycled. This is of great help to the environment.

There is another company in Yekaterinburg, which is called "EcoArchitecture." Waste management is the main direction of its activity. Its specialists are ready to help get rid of the wastes of the IV classes of danger. The company takes and sorts all types of waste, provides a full package of documents and environmental reporting.

Экостиль in architecture

In modern design and architecture, ekostyle is very common. This is a fashionable and topical direction. He devotes a large number of studies, projects and monographs. For example, this is an article by the employees of the Kharkiv National Academy of Municipal Economy A. Krivitskaya and N. Krivoruchko under the title "Ecoarchitecture as the preservation of the natural framework".

The work is devoted to two cities - Kharkov and Belgorod. They, according to scientists, may well become an example of agglomerations of a new type. Currently, industrial waste, air pollution, deterioration of sanitary and epidemiological conditions significantly worsen the living conditions of a person in the city.

Therefore, only the design of new ecostructures in conditions of preserving the natural framework of a regional system in large agglomerations can save the current ecological situation.

Criteria for eco-architecture

In order for eco-tech in architecture to be in line with modern concepts of this concept, it must fit certain criteria.

First, it is energy saving. It is necessary to minimize the use of sources of synthetic energy. Secondly, the use of building materials of exclusively natural origin, which are also capable of self renewal. This, for example, wood. Such an approach will allow the descendants not to need these materials.

Thirdly, the building should be treated as a living organism. Architecture should be perceived as a living environment. It must be remembered that the house also "breathes", eventually "grows", and then "withers".

Fourth, in all spheres of life it is necessary to minimize the harmful impact on the environment. And, finally, the last - the use of objects close to natural. And clearly understanding why you need this form.

Modern eco-architectural projects

The concept of eco-architecture, whose projects are presented in this article, is evolving around the world. A striking example is the "House of Solitude" in Argentina, his project appeared in 1975.

The main ideological inspiration, the architect Emilio Ambash, conceived this "black square" in architecture. In his design, he had, like the picture of Malevich, to symbolize the end of art and give way to a new spiritualistic reality.

But when the house was built, in 2005, it became a symbol of the "natural" way of life, which is so popular today.

The living quarters of this "Home of Solitude" are hidden inside the hill and serve as excellent areas for meditation. On the hill there are two walls with stairs that intersect at an acute angle. It is assumed that the person who was able to achieve enlightenment rises over them over gray reality.

Another eco-architectural project is being implemented in the Japanese city of Fukuoka. This is one of the largest cities in this Asian country, which suffers from a catastrophic lack of free space.

The history of this project began in 1995, when it became necessary to build a cultural center. It turned out that the only place for such a building municipal authorities can offer in a city park, the size of which does not exceed two city quarters.

In order not to cut down this square, it was decided to take a 15-storey skyscraper to a cultural center, preserving the green plantings in Japan as well. The skyscraper housed exhibition grounds and conference rooms, museums and art-sites.

At the same time, the greenery from the preserved park rises along the southern facade of the building, making it look like one of the wonders of the world - the gardens of Semiramis.

At the same time, evaluating such a concept as eco-architecture, one can face contradictory reviews. On the one hand, experts note positive points - because these projects help the environment and preserve the environment. On the other hand, many experts note that at the implementation stage, many ideas are too expensive, they spend an unreasonable amount of money.

Ditikon village

Another eco-architectural project, which needs to be told, is the village of Dietikon (Switzerland), created by Peter Fech.

It appeared in 1993 in the small town of Ditikon. A few years later, when the movie "The Lord of the Rings" appeared on the screens, the locals called the village that formed next to them a Swiss Middle-earth.

The first underground house Fech built in the 1970s. Since then, in Dietikon he managed to build nine underground buildings of various sizes. From 60 to 250 square meters. They were very similar to the hobbits' houses from Tolkien's fairy tale.

They also liked people. Roofing from the soil and grass naturally protected the dwellings from rain, winds and sharp temperature changes. It also helps to spend much less energy than in a conventional house. These buildings are absolutely harmless to the environment.

Vertical trusses

The project of building vertical farms originated in the walls of Columbia University in the United States. According to his scientists, by 2050 80% of the inhabitants of the Earth will move to the cities. And the habit of eating environmentally friendly agricultural products will continue.

To solve this problem, Pierre Sartoux and Augustin Rosenstil proposed a project of vertical farms. These are skyscrapers filled with greenhouses and pens for cattle. A large number of such structures in the long term will allow to feed all ten billion inhabitants who by 2050 will inhabit the Earth.

Organic House

Another project worthy of attention is the organic house of Gaetano Pesce. In early sketches, it resembled an oak tree in which the roots served as a foundation, and the crown - the roof.

Eventually the house became a bamboo grove, only ascending. She appeared in the center of another Japanese city - Osaka. In 1993, this building just blew uniformity uniformity of the classic Asian business district. The scarlet facade of the organic house is decorated with flower pots. They grow almost all types of shrubs that can only be found in this climatic zone. This is a clear example of the implementation of eco-architecture in life.