Some thoughts on the process of creativity that results in real world outcomes, as seen by an architect:
1. We all live in a setting that is determined by crowds and social structures.
2. We have the ability to either accept this setting or challenge it.
3. Our fit with this environment is determined by how our views are adopted.
4. There is always a sense of permanency once we have decided to pursue a certain course of action.
5. The change our thoughts once we have spent time formulating reasoning, are very cumbersome.
6. To change the physical manifestation of our thoughts are time consuming and ego-trapped.
7. Moving into a new world or a new way of going things requires a new setting or paradigm to develop.

Look at these key reasoning areas from some architectural greats some 80- years ago:
Adolf Loos wrote “Ornament and Crime” in 1908 outlining that we should remove ornaments from everyday life like buildings, as it will hasten the demise of the design that was made permanent.
In “Theory and Design in the First Machine Age”, 1936, Reyner Banham reasons that functionism has rules and patterns that guide us as we moved into the era of modernism.
“Towards a New Architecture” by Le Curbusier in 1922, focuses on the understanding of basics that allow for flexible and agile change of all non-structural elements.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe spent his life changing the world’s view of how architecture and technology live together in harmony where most forms of excessive ornamentation is removed for functional design.

As we moved from the eras of mystical reasoning to science and pragmatic thinking, our focus of how we live as humans is shifting towards a far more integrated existence. We woke up one day realizing that our actions are far more impactful than we thought, and that our understanding of mystical behaviors have caused us much pain. Believing in individual value and group well being, got us to think about the basics of how a new world would operate. It is almost like we are going through a human reasoning evolution as what happened in the 1920-1950′s. A new form of pragmistism is emerging that allow crowds and individuals to co-exist in diverse opinion.

Humans express themselves through the physical outcomes of their thinking, as we have seen in the changes in architectural styles over the years. Furthermore, our access to technologies shape our minds as to the possibilities of creation in the realm of “what’s possible today”. We live in built up urbanized areas, malls, social gathering areas, crowds watching great acts of arts (like music), etc more than ever before. The integrated world of technology and human behavior is allowing us to socialize more efficiently than ever before as we live close together. And all this in light of our self destruction of the world, global population growth, and religious wars. Even crowd oriented corrections like the financial crises will shape our minds in new ways as to the “possibilities of creation and correction”.

Innovation is entering an era where the strict rules and decorative processes and procedures of past are all under scrutiny. A more integrative and social approach is emerging where we need the individuals in our constellation to perform at their best. Even Open Innovation is developed on the platform of the past; taking an old construct and evolving it. Is this good enough for this era? The new rules of change will force you to integrate the creative genius of all these people in ways frowned upon in eras gone by. Our ability to create new ideas, evaluate those in light of the setting, collaborate on the development and outcomes of those ideas, and finally the ability to find valuable ideas; all will determine our success in achieving success in a new world.

Bamboo is also the fastest growing plant on this planet. It grows one third faster than the fastest growing tree. This means you can “farm” bamboo and use the plant for shading, fencing, and other applications that do not require a formal process quite easily.

Consider this from a UK eco site: “Concrete is in its raw essence a very green material. It is hewn from rock and the earth, ground into a fine powder, mixed with a few other raw components, the most important being water, and then mixed and allowed to set, wherever it is needed.

In its raw state concrete powder is environmentally friendly, as it is of the environment itself – a natural component. Here it is known as cement, before it hardens and becomes like stone. But it is in the industrial extraction of the materials, the mixing, and of course the application of concrete that is ceases to be both biodegradable and environmentally friendly.”

They also comment on the bio-degradable nature of concrete: “There are other green materials that can be used for some building and construction purposes – more wood can be used in house construction, for instance. But in generals humans need to wean ourselves off our devotion to and reliance upon ugly grey, environmentally unfriendly concrete. Materials that work with and do not despoil the natural environment need to be found and experimented with.”

The Concrete Network has this to say: “Green building is the concept of constructing homes and buildings we need today without depleting resources for future generations. In the new world of sustainable building, information about the strength, durability, and indestructible nature of concrete as a resourceful building material is emerging. Amid the teardown-and-replace mentality still pervasive in the world today, concrete stands out defiantly. Try to replace concrete with an alternative building material, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a substitute possessing the same thermal qualities, design flexibility, and permanence.

Fortunately, a paradigm shift is taking place in attitudes about resource conservation and sustainability. More builders and homeowners are now embracing green building, and concrete is emerging as a champion rather than a rebel. Read on to find out why, and learn how you can use concrete to build environmentally responsible homes without compromising beauty, comfort, or economy.”

Then have a look at this article “What Makes Concrete a Sustainable Building Material? It provides a great view on the various components normally criticized. This is an appealing option as the harsh conditions; summer sun and rain, and winter cold and frost combined with extremely dry climate in Johannesburg result in wood damage and steel rusting.

How does this compare to the process of making steel, even though it is recyclable? How does compare to wood, that based on the quantity used will take years to replenish?

If concrete is used for a home that will last for 30 years plus, is this maybe a better option than using wood or steel?

Steel seems to be cheaper and easier to use during the construction process as outlined in this entry by Metal Building Comparison. Cases are made for cost and ease of use rather than ecological or environmental impact. Another comparison site outlines many different benefits of steel including strength and that “Steel is a “Green” building Material”. Take a look at these impressive facts:
- Steel is 100% recyclable, and all new North American steel currently being forged contains recycled steel.
- Every ton of steel that is recycled saves approx. 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone.
- Both air and water emissions from steel production are a whopping 90% lower today than just 10 years ago.
- Almost all the hazardous waste once generated by the steel industry is now being recycled for beneficial use.
- The reflective properties of steel roofs provide significant savings in energy consumption.
- Heat and cooling loss, especially around doors, windows, foundation, and roofing, are significantly lower than other types of construction.

Maybe there are so many challenges in this comparison that hybrids might be the better option. ToolBase Services published this guide “Hybrid Wood and Steel Details–Builder’s Guide” that outlines some of the prominent issues in this selection process. It is a great resource showing all the aspects of steel and wood usage.

Architects do experiment with these materials widely. LamiDesign Modern House Plan Blog outlines some interesting designs and ideas as to where wood and steel can be used. The Loblolly project is a great example where steel and wood are used together in delivering a great looking home.

Curtains and blinds or any vertically aligned screen can effectively block out the sun, but by doing so, reduces the amount of light entering the room and blocks off any view to the outside. Tinting the window can reduce the heat and light entering the room, while still allowing views to the outside.

Generally blinds can be adjusted according to the needs of the occupants in the room. In glass houses they can be used to create privacy. One drawback of blinds would be the fact that they would need to be constantly adjusted and this adjusting increases the wear and tear on them. Material blinds have increased maneuverability over rigid blinds (shutters etc), but generally do not fit within a modernist style of dwelling.

Permanent variable filter (pvf) awnings are generally steel structures such as floor grating which is attached horizontally to the top of the window. The grating is made from thin (4.5mm), but relatively deep (40mm) pieces of flat steel joined at 40mm centres in both directions. The effect is to create a thick steel sheet that when viewed from the top is full of 40mmx40mm holes. These holes allow light through when the sun is directly overhead, and as the sun dips towards the horizon, the 40mm deep holes start creating shade.

The pvf awnings are very effective when their horizontal dimension is very close to the vertical dimension of the window that they are shading. If the window is deeper than the awning is wide, then the effect of the shading decreases after about 3pm and before 9am.

- ecosystems are complex interrelated elements of different beings and objects

- genetics give us insights into the make-up of the elements in an ecosystem

Our journey is about finding as many alternatives as we possibly can explore. But, it will result in something practical – a house design, and the project to construct the dwelling.