New York: Earth Pledge Foundation, 2001. 324 pages; $17; paperback.
Reviewed by Paula Flack
The Sustainable Architecture White Papers describe sustainable design practices, construction practices, products, and resources. It is a splendid collection of ideas for all professions involved in community development projects. The topics range from new ideas about community and building design to actual projects and products that incorporate sustainable criteria. The papers are organized into six sections: practice, building community, public works, homes and schools, products and materials, and resources. Contributors include architects, university professors, state and city officials, marketing firms, manufacturers, construction firms, and private citizens.
The practice section is simultaneously thought-provoking and inspiring. These papers address the changes that are needed in design and construction methodologies to create sustainable communities, buildings, and industrial processes. This section of the book is a great spot to allow your imagination to run wild!
The building community, public works, and homes and schools sections highlight projects intended to apply the sustainable ideas addressed in the practice section. One paper addresses sustainable lawns, another covers a sustainable housing developed by the city, others cover commercial buildings and community projects. The 25 papers in these sections describe 25 different projects that have been completed in a variety of climates, both natural and political.
The materials and resources sections provide a marketplace for the inspired! These sections give specifics on what to purchase once a design is complete. Although most of these papers are product advertisements, there is a wealth of information including websites, contact people, phone numbers, and catalog titles! It is a great resource for the reader who is inspired by the practice section.
This book is directed at architects, but all people involved with community development can utilize the information. City planners and developers will find that reading the practice section is useful before anything is put on paper. This book inspires the reader to move away from traditional ideas of community development. Each new project should be based on sustainable criteria and this is a great source book for just such ideas.
Paula Flack is an energy engineer in the Conservation and Load Management Department at Connecticut Power and Light.
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