Sustainable (Abitare n° 535)

A section of this issue of Abitare was guest-edited by Rotor, reflecting the theme of the fifth edition of the Oslo Architecture Triennale, also directed by us. The starting point is a definition of "sustainability," an ambivalent word used at an international level to govern future policies. Besides a short text on the then current state of our research for the Triennale, we invited three authors to discuss as many projects.

Time regained
The three qualities of firmitas, venustas and utilitas identified by Vitruvius are put to the test on a large scale beyond the mere process of giving things labels. With the design for A.Z. Groeninge (Belgium), baumschlager eberle breaks with the traditional approach to designing hospitals (as machines to help people get better) and distinguishes between aesthetic and design categories.
By Pierre Chabard.

Atlas of the Copenhagens
A group of researchers – Deane Simpson, Kathrin Gimmel, Anders Lonka, Marc Jay and Joost Grootens – addresses the question of the meta-narratives of contemporary thinking on sustainability, discusses and visualises the virtuous “Copenhagen model” and analyses the international indices used to draw up urban sustainability rankings.
By Deane Simpson.

Troll–Frigg–Park
In Stavanger, the administrative centre of the Norwegian petroleum industry, Helen & Hard design Geopark, a public outdoor youth centre that makes use of salvaged elements from drilling wells and oil pipelines, lifting gear and anchoring equipment. They are happy to listen to suggestions from the young people who use it.
by Björn Ehrlemark.

Details

Authors

Lionel Devlieger, Maarten Gielen

Editors

Mario Piazza

Title

Sustainability 

Publication

Abitare, no. 535, 9-10 2013, p. 75.

Date

September-October 2013

Languages

Italian, English