| Title |
A Study of Spatial Characteristics of Eco-Architecture |
| Authors |
Chung Jae-Yong ; Park Hun |
| Keywords |
Eco-Architecture ; Environmental Theory ; Technocentrism ; Ecocentrism ; Anthropocentrism ; Urban Space |
| Abstract |
Urban development was spearheaded by modern architecture, which caused many problems since the late 20th century. Environmental issues, in particular, have emerged as one of the most serious problems. So this study is an interdisciplinary research that aims to seek the interrelationship between environmental discourses, typology of environment-friendly architecture and urban space.This study undertook a broad range of case studies including office buildings, residential-commercial mixed use buildings and housing in Britain, Germany, Japan, Australia and South Korea in order to analyse a broad range of environmwntally friendly architecture. These case studies were first analysed in terms of three main environmental theoretical approaches such as technocentrism, ecocentrism and anthropocentrism (or eco-socialism as it is better known). This result was mapped on the urban hierarchy, technocentric typological buildings mainly being office buildings were located in or near the city centre. Anthropocentric type buildings that eccentuates the need for community and social sustainability were found in the general urban to suburban urban areas In the meanwhile, cases of biocentrism largely featured in the outskirts of cities and countryside as they need more land for self-sufficiency for food and treating waste organically with emphasis on small commune type developments. Environmental discourses such as technocentrism, biocentrism and anthropocentrism, which proposes different visions of future settlements should not be regarded as opposing political solutions but should be used as different spatial strategies. This study suggests that three approaches are all relevant environmental strategies in different locations, ie each approach are spatial strategies in different urban hierarchy. The technocentrism and its architectural types are ecological solution for urban core, whereas anthropocentrist approach a solution for social sustainability in general residential areas in urban and suburban locations and biocentrist solution being appropriate for the rural areas. The necessity of economic sustainability of cities dictate the differentiated locational factors of ecological techniques as well as density of developments. And, therefore, appropriate adoption of differentiated types of ecological approaches and related buildings in accordance with the hierarchy of urban spaces are needed in order to address the sustainability of human environment. |