Book Review

Sustainability at the Cutting Edge: Emerging Technologies for Low Energy Buildings

By Peter F. Smith
Jordan Hill, Oxford, England: Architectural Press, 2002. 194 pages; $34.99 paperback.

Reviewed by Peter Archer

This book covers a lot of ground in a short form. Its survey of technologies for buildings is comprehensive, with chapters devoted to the science of climate change, solar energy systems, techniques for cooling buildings, geothermal energy, wind power, fuel cells, biogas, and more. Once the range of technologies has been laid out, the political and economic barriers and incentives for a new energy infrastructure are examined. A discussion of the use of sustainable materials follows, and a look to the future of the "photonic revolution" explores the promise of fibre optics and light emitting diodes for energy saving and information applications. Case studies are provided in the following chapter, examining several built projects and their levels of success in applying these technologies. A final note assesses the probability of a sustained effort on the part of human beings to respond to the tri-partite challenge of globalization, population growth, and climate change.

Along the way, the author discusses and critiques developments and policies in Europe and America. He argues that the existence of fossil-fuel power structures in the developed nations may be one of the strongest barriers to the switch to sustainable technologies. The production of hydrogen may therefore have to be tied initially to fossil-fuel conversion before a more sustainable method can be adopted. The developing nations stand to gain most. As the author notes, the best locations for alternative power systems are where there are no existing power grids.

For the most part, the book is well written and illustrated. There are copious graphs, diagrams, and photographs. The author backs up his arguments with statistics. Unfortunately, the reading suffers because quantities are indicated in a wide range of abbreviated units.

The book’s best uses may be first as a primer that can lead readers to the further study of each technology, and second as a warning that sustainability must be the primary issue of our time.

Peter Archer is a practicing architect in Fairfield, Connecticut.