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What is Slow Architecture?
posted by Chaya, selected from Networx Jan 15, 2011 3:04 pm
If you’ve never heard of “Slow Food,” you’ve probably heard of “Fast Food.” If you’ve never heard of “Slow Architecture,” you might have heard the phrase “McMansion,” referring to cookie-cutter suburban sprawl. Slow Architecture is a movement toward building homes that are space- and energy-efficient, attractive, that harmonize with
the surrounding area, and create a smaller carbon footprint.
What makes Slow Architecture “slow”? Literally, Slow Homes take
time to build. Just like it takes time to cook food that honors the
native flavors and ingredients of the region, homes that work with
their environment take time to design and build. The main idea behind
Slow Architecture is careful consideration of what both the home owner
and the environment need. John Brown, the founder of Slow Home,
says that Slow Homes are homes that people can afford. He holds that
living within one’s means, rather than trying to buy the biggest house
possible, is slow living. Therefore, the Slow Architecture movement is
a movement away from size, and a movement toward quality and
durability. It takes time to build quality, durable things.
A facet of Slow Architecture is reusing existing structures and
objects instead of producing new ones. For instance, Slow Architects
prefer filling in existing urban spaces to building up lesser-developed suburban areas. You’ll find many
creative uses of old objects inside Slow Architecture houses. Used wood and recycled building parts might all become part of the structure of the house. Home furnishings
might be made from creatively-used found objects, like tables and
chairs made from cast off wood.
Slow Architecture aims to harmonize with the environment. “Harmonize” might sound flaky, but a home that agrees with its natural environmentve you
thousands of dollars in heating, cooling, and lighting bills. Just like
there’s nothing hippy-dippy about a slow-cooked pot roast, there’s no
shame in building and furnishing a home in a way that it will last for generations and serve exactly its purpose, with no frills is the most cost-efficient option. Maximizing natural light and
building a home that is appropriate to the climate can you thousands of dollars in heating, cooling, and lighting bills. Just
like there’s nothing hippy-dippy about a slow-cooked pot roast,
there’s no shame in building and furnishing a home in a way that it will last for generations and serve exactly its purpose, with no frills.
If Slow
Architecture sounds interesting to you but you’re not in the market to
build a new house, you’re in luck. Since Slow Architecture’s focus is
on using existing structures and objects, you can use Slow Architecture
concepts to use the space and objects you have more efficiently.
Things you can do to “slow” your house down:
- Fix it — don’t throw it out: Although many of the objects we have in our
houses are meant to be disposable, Americans throw out many things that
are actually fixable. Next time something breaks or looks a little
worn, ask yourself if you can fix it.
- Centralize: Make a hub in your house for family/personal activity.
John Brown suggests that one should not see his house as a series of
rooms on a floor plan, but instead see it as a series of places where
you do certain activities. In many houses, the kitchen is the hub of the house. What can you do to use the space in your kitchen to accommodate all of your activities?
- Relax: Turn off the cell phone, Internet, and television for a few
minutes every day. Cook a simple dinner, turn off the TV, and eat together as a family. Slow Architecture promotes independence and calmness. It costs nothing to give yourself a few minutes of quiet.
Related:
Do you Live in a Slow Home? Take the Test!
10 Worst Home Trends of the Decade
Reduce, Redecorate and Reconsider What Belongs to You
Tiny Houses Create More Freedom
Networx.com empowers people to make educated, economical and Earth-friendly
renovation and home repair choices. We are a community of homeowners,
renters and contractors who are committed to sharing home improvement
expertise and experience.
renovation and home repair choices. We are a community of homeowners,
renters and contractors who are committed to sharing home improvement
expertise and experience.
https://www.care2.com/greenliving/what-is-slow-architecture.html
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