post by: Sean Narcum

Green Architecture and Sustainable Design are relatively new terms to describe something that’s always existed.  Our earliest ancestors built out of necessity using only the materials and resources available to them and their own ingenuity.  As time moved forward, civilizations developed new technologies and ideas.  Geographically, what worked and made sense in one region didn’t always translate successfully to others but certain principles were universal.  Understanding the local environment, it’s climate, solar orientation and seasonal variations are some fundamental principles.  Understanding proportion, scale, rhythm, the relationship of light & shadow, harmony, and balance are others.  In this way, architecture is a continuum.

In today’s fast-paced world, with rapid consumption and consumerism, materials and technologies are advancing so quickly.  Globalism and the Digital Age have made it convenient for us to transport resources and share information instantaneously, which is incredibly exciting and beneficial.  But in some ways, quality is sacrificed for convenience or economy.  Unfortunately, it seems that more and more, the fundamental principles of good design are often either not applied or only considered as an afterthought.  Good architecture is thoughtful.  It requires dedication and an understanding of its own traditions and gives real meaning and purpose to our lives.

At PZA, the existing site context informs our work.  How living spaces are organized in relationship to one another, how they integrate seamlessly into their surroundings, and how construction materials are selected and assembled are all carefully considered.  By virtue of how we approach the design process, we create sustainable architecture.  Our aim is to design houses that withstand the test of time and be as relevant in 100 years as they are now.