The Lion's Pride Lion's Pride Volume 12 (Spring 2019) | Page 64

architecture, utilize local climate and landscapes, and maximize the
potential of the building without any compromise.
Hedonistic Sustainability
Typically, hedonism and sustainability are not equivalent. However,
Hedonistic Sustainability is defined as a holistic design approach
enhancing a quality of life within a whole urban ecosystem. In other
words, such ecosystems address human lifestyle needs, such as social
interaction, access to amenities, and mobility. According to one article,
“Hedonistic Sustainability is the latest and most exciting evolution in the
green movement. It transforms the whole sustainability movement into
something very youthful, dynamic, and egalitarian. That proves design
and architecture can be economically profitable as well as
environmentally sustainable” (Natural Habitats Landscape Designing
Company, 2018). Ingels mentioned at a TED talk event, “Hedonistic
sustainability is what happens when you stop thinking about buildings as
structures and start thinking about them as ecosystems. Creating closed
loops for recycling energy and minimizing environmental impacts
allows a building to produce positive side products like a higher quality
of life.” As Ingels (2009) defined it, “Architectural Alchemy” is “the
idea that blending normal ingredients in surprising mixtures, you can
create added value.” The mountain dwellings are a perfect example of
Architectural Alchemy. The sum of Hedonistic Sustainability,