outstanding and the process, CUMATEX@ UFECYLE™ was patented.The William McDonough Collection became available in 1995.

6

"We worked with some of the biggest companies in the world on this product, and some small ones. Conservative companies and innovative companies both understood what we were doing and they're now part of the team." Before, to be successful in the marketplace a product needed to meet three criteria: technical performance-it performs well and satisfies the purpose for which it is intended; cost-it is sold at the right price; and aesthetic value-people will find it appealing. McDonough describes two new criteria that consumers are demanding: ecological intelligence-it is safe and non-toxic; and ecological justice-it is socially just.

Suggestions for Professionals

"At this point in history, architecture cannot be beautiful unless it is conceived within ecological and social parameters. If you intend to do quality work, you must attend to these questions," says McDonough emphatically.

During what has been called a "Centennial Sermon" that McDonough gave at St.john the Divine in 1993 entitled Design, Ecology, and the Making of Things, he expressed his views of the designer'S role in society:

"Designers are recognizing their position as leaders in SOCiety. If we understand that design leads to the manifestation of human intention, and if what. we make with our hands is to be sacred and honor the earth that gives us life, then the things we make must not only rise from the ground but return to it, soil to soil, water to water, so everything that is received from the earth can be freely given back without causing harm to any living system," says McDonough, "This is ecology. This is good design."

Closing Remarks

"We are deeply involved in the planning, the buildings, the products, even the chemistry-in cities and regions around the world. But we have to remember that this is not where the answers about what matters will come from.They will come from a place in the human spirit. So the question is, How does humanity find its rightful place in the natural world? We must employ both new knowledge and ancient wisdom in our efforts to conceive and realize the physical transformation, care, and maintenance of the Earth.Almost every phase of the design, manufacturing, and construction processes requires reconsideration."

]OHNPICARD

Originally a successful Hollywood construction manager, John Picard is considered by his friends and colleagues a visionary, pioneer, motivator, and futurist. He, on the other hand, sees himself as an ordinary guy who wants to leave his mark on the world. As a professional building consultant, his approach is direct and his opinions about environmental concerns

cut straight to the bottom line. With enthusiastic optimism, Picard is full of ideas about how companies looking to build ecologically conscious buildings can implement features like non-toxic materials, solar energy and daylighting, energy efficiency, and sustainable materials. He also describes himself as an environmental non-building consultant whose goal is often to implement ideas without creating unnecessary buildings or waste.

Defining Environmentally Conscious Architecture

Picard's view about defining environmentally responsible design is less about labels and more about appropriate scale and timing. "I think we need to understand where we are in time and what we have available." He sees green building as a life cycle, from the creation of the natural resources used in construction to what that structure will be in the long-term future.The toxic concerns of a six-month fetus and the biodiversity of a displaced species in the rainforest are just some of the gauges by which Picard evaluates his projects. "Laying lightly on the land in any way you can" is how Picard defines environmentally conscious architecture. Green building is "not just recycled building materials, not just energy efficiency, but breaking out and going beyond the limits using every available tool."

Background

In his career as a successful builder, Picard renovated some elaborate estates in Hollywood including the legendary Pickfair, originally the home of actress Mary Pickford. Though business was brisk, Picard didn't feel that he was making a valuable contribution to society or to himself. One day, while watching television, he saw a one-minute public service announcement that talked about what was happening to the rain forests and how many species would be extinct by the time the commercial ended."I suddenly realized that although my life was only two frames in a continuing film of the world, I could make a difference in how the rest of the film ran," he says.

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He began by designing his environmental dream house in a quiet West Los Angeles neighborhood. To design and build the house, Picard devoted all his time and thought to the project.The house also required that he invest his own money, since it was so unconventional that no bank would give him a loan. "Those same banks are now paying me for ideas about how to design environmentally conscious branch offices and headquarters," Picard chuckles. Picard's house is constructed of recycled steel-"the cars we drove in the sixties"-and its roof is made of recycled petroleum waste. It is nearly 100 percent solar powered and incorporates energy- and water-efficient systems, air and water purification systems, non-toxic paints and

Picard Residence, West Los Angeles, California. The solar-powered recycled steel structure incorporates air and water purification systems. Natural light, which bathes the livingroom during most of the day, helps to reduce energy consumptionfor lighting. Photos: E'.

;6 Defining Environmentally Conscious Architecture

finishes, and a computer that controls appliances, heating, and air conditioning for maximum efficiency, comfort, and security. Visitors from around the countryfrom school children and neighbors to architectural and building professionals-have come to see Picard's house. According to Interiors & Sources magazine, "Picard has become one of the most sought- after environmental building consultants in the country." He founded his firm, E' in Marina del Rey, California, shortly after moving into his new home in 1990.

On tbe State of Ecological Architecture "Everything we're doing relative to the population and global development has largely been anecdotal and very disappointing," laments Picard.As great as all the effort has been, when the percentage of projects completed is compared to the percentage that need to get underway, we are left with an immense gap. He claims that the only way we can bridge that gap is through the help of tools like the Internet, digital mechanisms, software that replicates structure, or software that replaces hardware entirely. "We're moving toward an information-based society and new architecture will be more selective. The future of interior design and architecture will be less in the real world and more in the virtual world," explains Picard. That is to say that "buildings will be constructed out of bytes instead of bricks, and software versions of buildings will be accessible 24 hours a day on the net, resulting in a reduction of the physical demands forced upon the planet."

Does this mean that we are destined to become virtual people? Picard doesn't think so. "On the contrary, we will have more time to be real people concentrating on a meaningfullife."This does not mean, however, that Picard is against new construction, provided an unquestionable need is demonstrated. The savings realized from building environmentally, building less, and building in the virtual world, he envisions, can provide money for meaningful new architecture like museums and cultural centers.

Architectural Projects

With a list of completed structures that includes commercial and residential buildings for Hollywood producers, celebrities, and owners of top Fortune 500 companies in the United States, Picard's projects are full of unconventional architectural ideas, innovative energy- and cost-saving features and mechanical systems, and glamour. E"s work chronicles the high profile of environmental consciousness in the United States that is beginning to create affordable, innovative, ecological architecture, collaborating with companies like Microsoft, Southern California Gas Company, and Intel." In addition, Picard's firm created the

Environmental Products Guidebook, which is currently available on 3.5-inch disks, and will be available on the Internet in the future. Picard's work on the Southern California Gas Company Energy Resource Center in Los Angeles is reviewed in detail in Chapter Five. Current projects on the boards include Williams Sonoma, the Pottery Barn, and Banana Republic and Old Navy stores owned by The Gap.

PICARD HOUSE

West Los Angeles, California

Completed in 1991 and located on a quiet suburban street lined with pastel stucco homes and tall palm trees, Picard's house is constructed out of recycled steel instead of wood, and the roof material is made out of recycled petroleum waste.The house is almost 100% solar powered and incorporates energy and water efficient products and systems, air and water purification systems, non-toxic paints and finishes, and a computer that controls lighting and appliances, heating and air conditioning, opening and closing of the draperies to maintain interior temperatures, and home security.

SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT Los Angeles, California

Picard's consulting firm, E', was brought in to act as environmental consultant for all aspects of Sony's

Left: Sony Pictures Thalberg Office Annex, Los Angeles. Through the use of natural lighting, occupancy sensors, efficient lighting systems, and a reflective roof coating, energy use was reduced by 50% at the Son)' office annex.

Right: Sony Child Development Center, Los Angeles. E' acted as enuironmental cons ultant, working with architect Steven Erlich to complete the Center. Sony Pictures Child Development Center exceeds environmental standards. Cross uentilation provides passive cooling for the building, requiring mechanical air conditioning only 011 very smoggy days. Building materials include all lion-toxic paints and glues, natural cork linoleum, and recycled wood-chip exposed roof sbeatbing. Photos: SOllY Pictures Entertainment.

business after Entertainment Chairman, Peter Guber, saw Picard's house.As a result, Sony has revamped much of the way they do business, in addition to the way they approach construction. For example, photocopying is double-sided, e-mail is encouraged instead of paper, and disposable paper cups are not used.

After Columbia Pictures was purchased by Sony, extensive remodeling was needed at the seventy-acre lot." Environmental concerns were a priority," says Picard, "and it was a great opportunity to implement energy efficiency and recycled materials for the hundreds of millions of dollars in reconstruction work that was needed. Recycled and non-toxic materials were integrated, and all the energy efficiency profiles went into place."

Acting as environmental consultant, Picard worked with architect Steven Erlich to complete the Sony Child Care Development Center. While child care facilities are among the most tightly regulated building types in the state of California, the scheme for Sony Pictures' Child Development Center is anything but institutional. Crowned with an undulating metal roof, the 9,OOO-square-foot center exceeds current environmental standards and features spaces with diverse materials, textures, and spatial qualities.

The Center emphasizes natural light, connections between indoors and outdoors, natural ventilation,

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Prince Street Technologies, Cartersville, Georgia. A broadloom manufacturing division of Interface Carpet, Prince Street Technologies opened its 210,OOO-square-foot production facility in 1995. An 80-foot window facing south with a series of translucent louvres provides natural daylight into the plant. Photos: Brian Gassel/ TVS & Associates.

58 Defining Environmentally Conscious Architecture

and a variety of tactile surfaces. The building is cooled by cross ventilation 95% of the time, requiring back up air conditioning only on high smog level days.A variety of sustainable building materials were used throughout the building, including recycled woodchip exposed roof sheathing, natural cork linoleum, all non-toxic paints and adhesives, and American Douglas fir for windows, doors, and sashes.

E2 also worked on Sony's Thalberg Annex office building, reducing energy consumption by approximately fifty percent. On average, Sony has reduced energy use by thirty-five percent in its new buildings. Some of the energy efficient features of the building include natural lighting, occupancy sensors, high efficiency lighting systems, reflective roof coating, window glass, insulation, and building automation systems.

PRINCE STREET TECHNOLOGIES Cartersville, Georgia

Through his work as an environmental consultant for the Energy Resource Center, Picard worked with Interface Carpet to develop product lease ideas which the company has further developed. A broadloom manufacturing division of Interface Americas, Inc., Prince Street Technologies moved to their new 210,OOO-square-foot energy-efficient, ecologically conscious production facility in 1995. Heralded as the first "green" manufacturing facility in the floorcoverings industry, its features include natural daylight throughout the facility. An eighty-foot window facing south allows daylight to stream into the plant, and shading is controlled by a series of translucent louvers. Instead of utilizing underground piping, the site drainage was designed to direct water across the surface, which allows water to filter through the landscape and aerate before it reaches the natural waterways. Exterior finishes of the building are light in color to reflect sunlight, reducing the overall heating load on the building.

In the manufacturing area, increased air changes

per hour provide a healthier and more comfortable working environment. Rooftop air conditioning units use R407 refrigerant, manufactured by Carrier, that contain no ozone-damaging chemicals. Programmable thermostats are utilized for each heating and cooling zone to manage and reduce the overall energy consumption of the mechanical system. Interface's patented antimicrobial, Interseptw, is used on the mechanical equipment air filters, duct liners, condensate pans, fan blades, cooling coils, interior exposed surfaces, and insulation. Paints, ceiling tiles, and fabrics are also specified with Intersept'".

PLAYA VISTA COMMUNITY Playa Vista, California

Picard was asked to oversee the environmental and digital aspects of Playa Vista, a new sustainable community where Spielberg's Dreamworks Facility is also in the early planning phases. He is charged with the task of bringing in the best architects, engineers, and corporate partners to create a team that is a technology and community alliance. "We are looking at things like creating a private power plant with wholesale and retail power distribution, and expanding and incorporating the evergreen lease idea for energy provision." Picard has been talking with Bank of America, for example, to change the way they handle mortgages. He proposes that they extend them so that the extra money made available can turn a residence or commercial space into a high-performance structure. An environmentally advanced building would quickly pay for the difference, and might even compensate the mortgage more greatly than the standard type of mortgage would have with a standard building.

Playa Vista, a community designed by Andres Duany, in development by Maguire Thomas Partners, is located between Marina Del Rey and Los Angeles International Airport. It consists of 1087 acres of land to be used in the creation of a mini-city of 3,200 housing units and 1.25 million square feet of offices and shops.A large portion of this area is the planned site for DreamWorks, the first new studio to come to Los Angeles in fifty years.

A primary focus of Maguire Thomas is to build a modern, technically advanced community that possesses energy efficient structures and alternative attributes. A commitment to "green" building has been made for all residential and commercial spaces, as well as studio and sound stages. City approval has been given for the project.The community of Playa Vista will be connected by its own computer network that will allow for electronic banking, retail shopping, and service, and physically linked by its own form of transportation including alternative fueled vehicles. The studio will take three years to complete, and the community is projected to be implemented over ten years.

ENERGY RESOURCE CENTER Los Angeles, California

The Energy Resource Center includes an 8,000- square-foot exhibit hall capable of accomodating up to 700 people with a dozen specialty rooms that are available for meetings, workshops, demonstrations, and presentations. The Center provides technical assistance, computerized equipment simulations, state-ofthe-art audio-visual and teleconferencing facilities, and

air quality and environmental permitting assistance. As a state-of-the-art technical center, the Energy Resource Center is also a visual showplace for resource conservation from its recycled building and site and all of its "new" recycled materials, to its educational facilities that demonstrate energy efficient strategies with the most current technologies.

Southern California Gas Company built the Energy Resource Center by working with their existing site. Sections of the existing building were dismantled, and other areas of the building are newly fabricated. The design of the center is entirely dedicated to providing educational information regarding energy efficiency and its environmental impact. John Picard acted as environmental consultant for Southern California Gas Resource Center, together with a team of accomplished professionals. The Energy Resource Center is reviewed as a case study in Chapter Five.

Outside the Architectural Practice

In addition to his building projects, Picard is an enthusiastic speaker who is commited to teaching others about building an environmentally conscious future. He has formed partnerships with many of his clients to create some innovative and broad-reaching programs that will have state and nationwide impact. In addition to its role as environmental consultant, his company worked to help the Southern California Gas Company in Los Angeles collaborate with the carpet manufacturer Interface in Atlanta, Georgia. Having created the "evergreen lease," Interface installs and maintains the carpet, while the gas company pays for the benefits of using it. Picard is also working to develop the concept of the evergreen lease to include energy use.

A big believer in the power of modern technology, Picard is developing new ways of disseminating environmental information through software, virtual reality, and the Internet, and is working to create smart, high-performance buildings with software that will address the impacts of demand-side billing and the sun.

Suggestions for Professionals

Picard enthusiastically offers lots of suggestions. "There are some big hurdles in practicing environmentally and energy-conscious architecture in that implementing untested systems and products can be risky, and building professionals have enough liability concerns and problems to deal with just within the bounds of standard practices. But, look at publications like this book, case studies, read available materials, and go see some of the buildings, For example, not enough people look at Croxton and McDonough's buildings," says Picard. "Pay attention to what these

59

projects have done, get in and talk to those who built them. Many of them are very open and eager to share their experience."

Picard feels that designers need to focus on what they will leave behind. "The minute you grasp that," he says, "you realize it's for your sons and daughters and their sons and daughters. Realize the sense of gratification that comes out of doing work the best way you possibly can. Focus on affecting people at the top, because they're waiting for and need new ideas. Use the Internet, and other things like it. Opportunities are coming forward to publish ideas in a free way, unedited and unscrutinized."

When Picard looks back at his projects he feels one hundred percent proud, and his buildings stand out in terms of economic viability, minimal environmental impact, energy efficiency, and aesthetics. He readily admits that he's made mistakes with his buildings, and will probably make more. Picard thinks that if we're not failing, we're not doing enough. "People don't like to talk about failures, but we should because we learn a lot from them.We need radical new infusions of concept as well as reality."

Closing Remarks

Picard thinks that, above everything, energy is paramount.There are huge institutional barriers toward energy efficiency, and Picard spends most of his time on projects dealing with them. "I think that the underpinning strength in me is that I've been blessed with the relationships that I have. For some reason, I constantly have this sense of hope. Hope to me is key.A lot of people are unhappy and fearful, personally and globally. If people pull together and help the next person, we'll eventually get from two percent of the population to five billion people who actively care about their environment."

JAMES WINES

Internationally recognized for his philosophical and artistic approach to architecture and ecology, James Wines established his practice, SITE-Sculpture in the Environment-Architects, in 1970 in New York City. Never formally trained in architecture, Wines' background in art history provides the basis for his approach. While working in Europe as a sculptor completing large commissions for architectural contexts, he grew increasingly uneasy with his role as a creator of accessories for buildings. A sculptor of buildings, Wines believes that architecture is the ultimate public art. It should ask questions, and reflect the soul of its SOCiety. In "Architecture in the Age of Ecology," a February 1994 article Wines wrote for Eartbtuord

60 Defining Environmentally Conscious A rcbitecture

environmental journal, he calls for a "new spirit" in architecture:

Architecture is desperately in need of a conceptual, theoretical, and philosophical reunion with nature. During the crest of the Modern Age, architects passionately believed that there was a direct equation with the

~t---

i'

combustion engine and a

spiritual vision for the design of shelter. What began as a great socialist and technological vision has become the symbol of oppression and isolation from nature.

Wines has designed numerous projects around the world that focus on human and natural resources. Recognized for the gutsy BEST showrooms that pointed mockingly at American hedonism in the 1980s, SITE's ecological theme projects for cities around the world include a vast array of projects, among them the pavilions at the World Exposition in Seville, Spain, in 1992 including the World Ecology Pavillion; a 62-meter circular plaza at the first Japan Expo in Toyama,Japan; a commemorative bridge in Hiroshima celebrating the links between people and the natural environment; a waterfront park dedicated to world ecology in Windsor, Vancouver, British Columbia; and a 220-meter-Iong integration of public space and participatory public art in Vancouver, Canada. In the United States, Wines worked with the city of Chatanooga,Tennessee, to create Ross's Landing, a community plaza, and the Aquatorium, a museum designed to demonstrate the value of water in the development of civilization and to underscore the City's commitment to becoming an environmental city. SITE also designed Pershing Square Park for the oldest downtown community center in the city of Los Angeles, California, in 1986.

Defining Enoironrnentally Conscious Architecture

James Wines believes that the most instructive examples of sustain ability are those remarkable historic buildings and cities around the world that have survived for more than five hundred years and still remain in productive use. "There is no better demonstration than a structure from the 13th century that is comfortably filled with computers and space-age technology," says Wines. "This would seem to be the bottom line for evaluating sustainable design and also the primary source of research if we expect to find an equivalent longevity for human habitat in the future." The environmental sculptor thinks that the industrial