Last Tuesday, March 22nd, a group of 9th graders who finished the past marking period with an average of 90 or above received the opportunity to visit the Center for Architecture. Center for Architecture is a museum, whose goal is to further educate the public about NYC architecture through classes, workshops, after-school programs, summer camps, field trips, and much more. On this trip we learned about sustainable architecture and then created models that included environmentally friendly design aspects that the Center’s teachers taught us. First they told us about all the negative ways buildings can affect our environment and why it’s so important that the world starts taking global warming and pollution into account when building new structures. After they showed us ways we could help solve the climate crisis through our designs. We talked about green spaces, reuse of grey water, maximizing natural light usage, use of discarded materials from old construction sites, and ways to generate energy that doesn’t lead to global warming. They talked about how even the smallest aspects of the structure can have major impacts on the ecosystem when used in buildings all over the world, and how we can soften our impact on the planet with the things we design in the future. Ms. Cumberbatch, WHSAD’s 9th grade Architecture and Design teacher, took us on this trip to show us how important sustainable architecture is, and to get out of the classroom and have a bit of fun.
Taking all of this information into account, we started constructing models out of materials they provided such as cardboard, construction paper, popsicle sticks, hot glue, and many others. We tried to design something that used as many of the environmentally friendly design aspects that we talked about before as possible. We had no restrictions as far as what the building would look like, and we really got creative with the way we made the structure look. Some of us used green roofs, others had steps that collected energy when you stepped on them, and most of us had multiple different examples of green designs within our model. By the end of the trip we each had a model to take home and a better understanding of sustainable architecture, along with model making. Here are some other students writing about their experience on the trip.
Bruce Zamudio
I was one of the chosen few who got the opportunity to go to the Center of Architecture for a field trip. Once we got there we met with the representative of the place and she gave us a presentation. In this presentation I learned many new methods of how architecture can affect the earth and how many positive things can result from sustainable design. My peers and I learned of the effects of global warming and the effects it has in everyday life all around the world. For example, we gained more insights about the increase in greenhouse gasses and combustion of fossil fuels, the destruction of ecosystems, deforestation(forest fires), and the death of marine ecosystems like coral, etc. These are just a few of the results from global warming.
But we can make a difference if we are careful with our environment. Green architecture is an approach to building that minimizes the harmful effects of construction projects on human health and the environment. The architect attempts to make a building/structure that can safeguard air, water, and the earth by choosing and using eco-friendly materials and construction practices. We learned how the designs of buildings can have a huge effect on the environment by cutting down energy use and how we can use alternatives or sustainable energy sources like wind and solar. There are many components which are put into practice when designing and creating green buildings. These can include the following: energy efficiency, renewable energy, water efficiency, environmentally preferable building materials, waste reduction, and indoor air quality. The use of green roofs in buildings is often used in green architecture. Green roofs consist of a waterproofing membrane, growing medium (soil) and vegetation (plants) on a roof. Green roofs are used to achieve environmental benefits including reducing storm water runoff and energy use. Many architects in the world are putting these designs into practice in the creation of their buildings. With these buildings we can help the environment and create a more peaceful and safe earth.
After the presentation we were asked to put everything we have just learned to make a building that would be environmentally friendly and possible to make. I used everything to make a building which has its own green roof, can safeguard water, is made of reusable material, and has a road which is specifically made for bikes. Cars aren’t allowed on my roads because their exhaust can greatly affect the environment by bringing pollution into the atmosphere. After an hour after we were all done with our building model, a few of us decided to present what we had done and how we put everything we just learned into consideration. In conclusion, I have learned how the type of architecture we use affects the Earth, and that all the architects in the world should strive to use this information for the best of our planet.
Paige Khan
This trip to the Center of Architecture helped me learn about sustainability and how we can help buildings maintain a healthy environment. We used things like scrap paper, cardboard, tissue paper, straws, glue guns, and markers. I also learned how architecture and the style of buildings could help climate change like having windmills, shading, roof gardens, and water collectors. I made a model with buildings and each one had different ways to save the planet. One building was a water collector and would focus on how collecting rainwater could help our planet. Another building had a design that considered how we can stop forest fires. A third building was to have gardens on roofs, because there are not many green spots in the city, so people would have gardens on roofs so that there’s more oxygen in the air. Finally, the main building, which is a very tall structure with a windmill on top, converts wind power into rotational energy. This trip helped me explore more tools and ways to make your model look good. This shows how I can express my ideas for my future project in my Architecture and Design class. I am in a group of 4 and we are creating a city for the rest of the class to add their buildings. I left the Center of Architecture with facts and ideas for my class project that have inspired me to make a wonderful city. I really liked this project because not only did it help me learn new things about model making but also learn about how we can help our planet.
Estefany Zainos
On this trip I learned about sustainability and how it helps in the course of architecture. We were able to use recycled materials to build our own sustainable buildings, For example we used scrap paper, chipboard, and paper straws. In my building I wanted to include a way to use renewable clean power, so I put solar panels because they are pollution-free, and no greenhouse gasses would be emitted after installation. I also included a roof garden because in cities you don’t see much green land anymore, and in the roofs of the buildings there is enough space to make a garden which people can go up and enjoy.
My experience on learning about the greenhouse effect was really interesting because I learned that pollution is really affecting our world and mostly the animals that live here. The effects of global warming are the forest catching on fire and this ruins the habitat of the animals that live there. Global warming also causes the ocean to rise, the loss of species, and hotter temperatures. Learning about this surprised me because we are ruining the earth we live on and killing many species of animals. Overall, learning about the greenhouse effect is what inspired me to make my building and add all these renewable sources.