By Guest Writer, Maverick Esser, with an Introduction by Steve Carter, CPA, Assurance & Advisor Principal
ASL Renewable Energy Group
For some reason, I found myself really struggling with finding an interesting topic for this edition of the ASL Advisor. I was hoping to somehow discover a timely topic that impacts us all, yet offers some form of viable solutions to the critical, if not dire, challenges facing our global environment.
In one of my Managerial Accounting classes at Santa Clara University, I was fortunate to have an extremely bright and talented young student who is looking at our world with a unique vision of practicality. In addition, even more exciting and hope raising, he is finding ways to put solutions into action!
Mr. Esser recently transferred to the University from Montana State, where he had begun his studies in Architecture with an emphasis in Environmental Design. While planning to pursue his goal of business operations and design, he is currently focusing his attention to build a strong base in Environmental Studies and Business.
Mr. Esser recently shared with me a paper he had written. Not only was I immediately impressed with its content and message, I selfishly realized this had to be the answer to my article needs!
With Mr. Esser’s permission, I have condensed the following excerpts from his treatise which addresses how humanitarily designed dwellings can tackle head on the challenges we face with rapid climate change, a loss (lack) of community, and the continued goal for energy efficiency. Mr. Esser’s writing follows.
Humanitarian Design
What is humanitarian design? As described by the BuildAbroad Organization, which builds and repairs communities around the world through socially responsible construction and volunteers, “Humanitarian means having a concern for the welfare and happiness of individuals and communities. When combined with architecture, it means striving for this through built designs that offer safety, shelter, and a sustainable solution to housing.”
Structures with Climate Change in the Forefront
The first objective is building with resilience to increasing temperatures.
As global temperatures rise, structures need to better support the reduction of heat. This is especially important in densely populated urban areas as these people will be at the most risk, which could also lead to further environmental injustices due to previous redlining of city zoning maps. Landscape architecture will need to increase vegetation and green spaces to provide shade and decreased UV absorption. Structures can be built with the use of light exterior colors to reflect the sun, high-rise ceilings that allow the lower occupied areas to remain cooler, plenty of openings and windows to allow for increased air circulation, and the use of natural materials and dense flooring to maintain stable temperatures.
The second objective is building with resilience to flooding and sea-level rise.
To combat this issue, buildings can be built with pillars and infrastructure to allow for water runoff and prevent flooding. Water will be able to flow underneath, thus avoiding critical damage. Additional solutions include utilizing flood resistant materials, building floodwalls, and designing homes to be built away from at-risk property sites, which could be prone to flooding and/or landslides.
The third objective is building with resilience to drought.
Again, planting vegetation will increase water retention in the soil and further strengthen the foundation of a building. Additionally, designing buildings to capture and store rainwater can provide easy and cheap access to water.
Lack of Community
The next area of emphasis is addressing how humanitarian architecture can help restore lack of community, and prompt those who occupy the space to help one another. A problem with shared community spaces, or a building with multiple people occupying them, is the “tragedy of the commons”. Often with shared buildings, if the space and resources are open to many, it will not be as well cared for, in that one person will expect the next to maintain the dwellings and surrounds, leading to an overall lack of respect and care. Ways to address this with architecture include building all spaces of a building equally, so all residents feel respected. Critical to this is designing for increased access to windows. Windows allow for sunlight and a sense of openness and spaciousness.
The Yale Law Journal, Architectural Exclusion, highlights another important aspect, Discrimination and Segregation through Physical Design of the Built Environment. Author Sarah Schindler writes, “The built environment is characterized by man-made physical features that make it difficult for certain individuals—often poor people and people of color—to access certain places. Bridges were designed to be so low that buses could not pass under them to prevent people of color from accessing a public beach. Walls, fences, and highways separate historically white neighborhoods from historically black ones. Wealthy communities have declined to be served by public transit to make it difficult for individuals from more poor areas to access their neighborhoods.” There needs to be policy and regulation through architecture. If architectural exclusion is recognized, firms and communities can begin to address previous development injustices and establish better spaces moving forward. A great way to implement solutions is to require green space regulations and require landscape architects to implement vegetation in all areas regardless of socio-economic factors, especially in urban areas.
Energy Efficiency
The third area of emphasis that humanitarian design can address is energy efficiency. In Environment and Society: A Critical Introduction, author Paul Robbins explains, “one of the most straightforward ways that we could decrease overall use of electricity is by designing and building more energy-efficient buildings and retrofitting existing buildings with energy-efficiency improvements.” This is of importance because in the United States “…nearly 40 percent of all energy usage (not just electricity) is from residential and commercial buildings” Robbins states. From a policy standpoint, this can be addressed by creating sustainable energy design regulations. Passed in 2018, and implemented as of 2020, California requires solar panels to be featured on new homes. The State’s Building Standards Commission gave approval to the rule that is the first of its kind in the United States. With this rule in place, architects can now plan to incorporate designs that will best utilize the solar panels. This will involve designing the roof angle to better capture sunlight during peak hours, as well as creating a harmonious design so the panels do not hinder the building’s aesthetics. This is important in mitigating those users who decline using solar panels due to their aesthetic appearance.
Steve Carter: In closing, Mr. Esser concludes his paper with an action plan, backed by all that he is learning! Read what he will be doing this summer in his hometown! Mr. Esser’s ideas and goals, fostered by his education and desire to solve our pressing environmental challenges, indeed offer hope for a sustainable future!
Implementing Solutions at Fi Architecture
I want to partake in implementing these findings, as they are potential solutions to environmental injustices through the process of something I am passionate about, architecture. This summer, I will be working for the Fi Architecture firm in my hometown of Gig Harbor, WA. In Gig Harbor, there is a rapid influx of people moving in from out of state and nearby areas. Schools are reaching full capacity, large amounts of traffic are developing, and there is a need to maintain the Marina town area aesthetic.
There is also a need to properly plan for the City’s growth in a sustainable and energy-efficient way. The buildings also need to encourage the citizens of Gig Harbor to keep the culture of helping one another, and communicating, alive. The potential solutions that humanitarian design can benefit – climate change, community, and energy efficiency, will be shared with my boss – the Firms’ Founder and Senior Principal. This summer, when I am to partake in a project, all three areas of emphasis will be considered and best researched to determine if and what solutions may be implemented. If I am asked or needed to communicate with a client about why these ideas are important, I will break down the costs and help prove how being more energy-efficient can save money. I have already begun this process by requesting to help handle environmental policies and guidelines for the Firm, and to use my Economics education to assist the architects with their design decisions.