Historical and Sustainable Sensibilities A Socio-Cultural Speculation within Architectural Education

Although sustainability is more of a constant inquiry rather than a definition, it can be reassuringly projected as the ability and the potential of all species and physical environments (manmade and natural) to survive. Sustainability’s accountability to survival into the future is intrinsically linked to the longevity of cultural architectural and urban artifacts that range from historic buildings to everyday spaces that are somehow significant to social relations. The paper is drawn from a study that explores how architectural studio participants approach, understand, interpret and apply values of preservation when designing for culturally sensitive areas, and while employing the principles of sustainable design. Since it is broadly stipulated that studio participants engage in processes and express notions of cultural heritage in ways that respond to a variety of stimuli, the study examines the contemporary cultural subtexts, as well as the role of architectural education and idiosyncratic sensibilities. Through a range of studio participants’ projects set in historical buildings and in cultural and traditional neighborhoods, the study aims to detect and codify trends and iterative courses that inform the decision-making process. Design projects considered include contemporary retrofits in interstitial spaces, elevated structures embracing historic structures, industrial reuse and others. Since the meaning and practice of sustainability are key components to the architectural education of the participants whose work is examined, the paper also explores the theoretical underpinning that frames an understanding of sustainability both as a social and as an environmental condition. Thus a narrative is created that aims to connect social sustainability to a cultural understanding. The study embarks on a socio-cultural speculation of causalities and cultural nuances, which combined with more structured pedagogical methods, influence participants’ design priorities and perceptions in local architectural academies. Knowledge is drawn from the authors’ five-year ­­involvement in advanced architectural design studios where architecture and urbanism have been considered from a distinct position of sustainable priorities