After our brainstorming session in Contemporary Issues, two of the topics that stuck out to me the most were sustainability and education. A lot of recent articles and class discussions seem to be highlighting the importance for our industry to not only provide excellent design services, but also to educate the client and the country/world at large. Sustainability, having been a hot topic for quite some time now, is not as surprising to see make the list of contemporary issues in Interior Design. While looking through some industry sources to further research these topics, I came across a house featured on Dwell’s website that speaks to both.
The E+ Green House, located just outside of Seoul, South Korea, features not only a plethora of green initiatives, but is also a source for education. This housing prototype incorporates a tripartite approach to energy efficiency by saving, generating, and recycling energy. Designed by Kolon Engineering, the house uses 95 different green technologies including solar panels and green walls.
The most interesting part of this house to me is that although it currently does not have any long term residents, it is available to the public and can be booked for overnight stays. This is an incredible opportunity that gives people firsthand experience as to what it would be like to live in a sustainable environment. I think one of the things that prevents many people from “going green” is that they have preconceived misconceptions about what green materials or building methods may actually be like. By allowing overnight stays, Kolon is providing tangible examples and experiences that speak much louder than any diagram or chart could. This hands on educational experience is very exciting and something I would love to see more of.
To check out the full article and photo gallery please visit: http://www.dwell.com/articles/E-for-Effort.html