Green Pieces

by Todd Woodward

when: August 5th, 2009 6:30pm-8:00pm
where: Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch St. Philadelphia

Sustainable design and high performance building technologies and systems are increasing in availability and complexity. Architects are being challenged to both understand appropriate applications of these strategies and to integrate them successfully into their projects. For expediency, designers often simply attach green elements to an otherwise “standard” building, without giving much thought to the appropriateness of the architectural and environmental response. I believe that this approach is evidence of a troubling tendency: many proponents of sustainable design currently undervalue the architect’s role in the integrated design of a building, favoring instead the application of easily quantifiable green techniques. This is the “design by checklist” approach that may produce a LEED certified building, but will be much less likely to produce a truly sustainable one.

Architecture, though, has always been more than a technical practice. This lecture will focus on the incorporation of “green technologies” into a more complete architectural expression. A range of strategies and technologies will be discussed, including biological wastewater treatment, sustainable stormwater management, and solar energy options. The integration of these green pieces into a thoughtful architectural expression is a task that too few architects are embracing. When thought of as part of a larger whole, green design elements may make a significant contribution to our everyday experience of architecture and have great potential to teach us about our environment.

(Description by Todd Woodward.)

Todd Woodward is an architect and Principal at SMP Architects. He is a graduate of the Penn State Architecture Program where he was awarded the Faculty Thesis Prize for his thesis on the relationship between technology and society. Todd recieved the 2003 Young Architect Award from the AIA Philadelphia for his excellence in design and numerous contributions to the profession. As an active member of the design community, Todd has been involved with the Community Design Collaborative of Philadelphia since 1998 and has sat as Co-Chair of the board in 2003 and again in 2004. Todd is also an adjunct faculty of the Temple University, Tyler School of Art, Architecture Program where he advises students in their thesis year.

As a LEED AP and a Licensed Architect, his work emphasizes a sensitivity to the environment and its resources. The Cusano Environmental Education Center that Todd worked on was named an AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Project. The project brings together sustainability, preservation of nature, and education. Of its technologies are a Living Machine, Permeable paving, rain collection, geo-thermal heating and cooling, and a super efficient envelope.

To Learn More Visit:

http://smparchitects.com/