Ben Parker Had It Right

Some people use the word “green.” Some professionals use the word sustainable. We find a more appropriate approach to architecture and interiors is about responsibility. Last time I checked, green is just a color. Sustainability pertains to the future. But responsibility … represents the here and now and most importantly, requires the architect to take ownership of decisions made for our environment, our lifestyles, our buildings and the spaces we occupy.

Responsibility is thinking about site orientation for maximizing sunlight and passive cooling.

Responsibility is selecting materials that can be easily maintained and possibly recycled.

Responsibility is working within a budget and communicating on a regular basis to keep the project moving forward efficiently. (See … it’s not just about design.)

It is an architect’s responsibility to design projects in the best interest of their client’s wallet, their client’s schedule and the environment that we live in. As Spider-Man’s uncle said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” The power to shape the built environment warrants an architect’s great responsibility to do it properly.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP