Should Form
T
by Brendan Lowen
here is little doubt that, in the last decade,
national energy grid in order to run these structures in a such
research and development, with innovation
a way that it remains comfortable for the occupants to live in…
at the forefront, has grown as a major
Historically, we have simply applied the same methods
focus in many manufacturing companies,
of construction. Techniques relating to labour, skill and
where the possibilities of offering added
design parameters have smacked of some form of
value and economically priced products,
inherited performance characteristic based on traditional
whilst remaining responsible to the local environment, have
means that one is able to relate to quite easily. It is generally
driven this research. Sustainability remains a buzzword in
accepted that if you recognise something often enough,
the industry and, in our industry of “the built environment”,
our human nature tends to accept it as being the norm.
there has been greater focus on how building materials are
This has often led to a limitation of ideas being applied to
manufactured (extraction of their raw materials). This continues
satisfy what has already been accepted and, as a result, a
in how structures are designed, with a responsibility towards
general acceptance going forward without much debate or
the local environment, through to the reliance (or lack) on the
scrutiny deemed necessary.
18
Should Form Follow Function?