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ARCHITECTURE

UNIT 5

YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Work with a partner. Discuss the questions.
1 Do people in your country generally live in houses or apartments?
2 What is the most important room in your home? Why?
3 What would you change about your home, school or workplace toimprove it?
4 Are there any famous old buildings in your country? Are theyprotected? Do you think this is important? Why / Why not?

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WATCH AND LISTENPREPARING TO WATCH
ACTIVATING YOURKNOWLEDGE

PREDICTINGCONTENT USINGVISUALS

1 Work with a partner and answer the questions.
1 A lot of energy is wasted in buildings. How do people waste energy intheir homes?
2 How can people reduce the amount of energy they waste in their homes?
3 Can the government help reduce the amount of energy that is wasted
in our homes? How?
2 Look at the pictures from the video. Discuss the questions with a partner.
1 The workers in the first and second picture are making these homes
more energy-efficient. How do you think they are doing that?
2 What do you notice about the house in the last picture?
3 What do you think the climate is like where these homes are? Do thehomes need heat? Air conditioning?
GLOSSARY

insulation (n) covering that prevents heat, sound, or electricity from escaping
intense lobbying (n phr) a powerful effort to convince the government to do something
be a rarity (v) to be very unusual
the norm (n) the usual way that things happen
scrap (v) to not continue with a plan
set something back (phr v) to make things happen more slowly than they should

WHILE WATCHING
UNDERSTANDING
MAIN IDEAS

3 Watch the video. Write T (true) or F (false) next to the statements below.
Correct the false statements.
1 Most homes in Britain are not very well insulated.
2 The government helps low-income home owners with the costof insulation.
3 Britain will reach its target of an 80% reduction in emissions
by 2050.

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4 Builders are struggling to work out how to build more energyefficient homes.
5 The government no longer supports the zero-carbon homestandard.
6 Housing developments with energy-efficient homes areuncommon in Britain.
4 Watch again. Complete the notes.
1of the money that people in Britain spend
on heating is wasted because their homes do not have enough2. The government wants to change that,
aiming for an 80% 3
in emissions. Builders
4
already know how to build
homes. They can5build homes that maintain a comfortablewithout using much energy. Nevertheless, the emissions rate in Britain is6. Earlier, there was a 7
standard for building homes, but after an intense lobbying effort, it was
8. Today, with no clear standard, builders are9about what kind of homes they should build.
5 Work with a partner. Discuss the questions. Give reasons for your answers.

UNDERSTANDING
DETAIL

MAKING INFERENCES

1 The ‘passive-house standard’ means that houses stay warm enoughwithout extra heating. How do you think that works?
2 Why do you think there was ‘intense lobbying’ against the passivehouse standard? Who do you think was lobbying against it?
3 The expert in the video says that zero-emissions homes are within our
grasp. Do you think Britain will reach this goal soon? Why / Why not?

DISCUSSION
6 Work with a partner and answer the questions.
1 Is the home you live in energy-efficient? Give some examples tosupport your answer.
2 Who makes the decisions about how homes are built (for example,
how much insulation is used) in your community?
3 Is your community concerned about energy efficiency? Give someexamples.
4 What are some other major sources of carbon emissions outside ofhomes?

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READINGREADING 1
PREPARING TO READ
USING YOURKNOWLEDGE

1 You are going to read an article about ‘green’ buildings. Work with apartner. Answer the questions.
1 Why do some people care about buildings being environmentallyfriendly?
2 How can architects design buildings that use less energy?
3 How can we reduce the amount of energy we use in our homes?

UNDERSTANDING
KEY VOCABULARY

2 Read the definitions. Complete the sentences with the words in bold.
compromise (n) an agreement between two sides who have different
opinions, in which each side gives up something it had wanted
conservation (n) the protection of plants, animals and natural areasfrom the damaging effects of human activity
durable (adj) able to last a long time without being damaged
efficiency (n) the condition or fact of producing the results you
want without waste
relevant (adj) related to a subject or to something happening or
being discussed
second-hand (adj) not new; having been used in the past by
someone else
sector (n) a part of society which can be separated fromother parts because of its own special character1 Buildings which are tough and last a long time are usually made frommaterials.
2 The city planning committee may have to make a(n)inorder to both save money and use high-quality building materials.
3 It is important for developers to consider theof their planso that they avoid wasting time, money or labour.
4 Developers cannot build in certain locations, such as rainforests, due toenvironmental.
5 If previously used wood is still in good condition, a builder may choose
to use it for construction even though it is.
6 Most architects work in the private, which means theywork for companies and not for the government.
7 The architect who designed the building does not think people’s
opinion of its appearance isto its purpose.

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Skimming a text

SKILLS

Skimming is reading a text quickly in order to get a general idea of its main
points. It is particularly useful when you have a great deal of information toread in a short space of time, or when it is not necessary to understand a text
in detail. Readers often skim a text to find out if it will be useful or not before
reading it more thoroughly. This is particularly important in academic readingwhere you may only have time to read the most useful information.
Do …
✔ look at the title, any subheadings and illustrations – they will often giveclues about the content.
✔ read the introductory paragraph, which should tell you what the text will
be about.
✔ read the concluding paragraph.
✔ read the first sentence of each paragraph, which may present its topic.
Don’t …
✗ stop to look up unknown words.
✗ say the individual words that you read in your head. Try to just focus on
the meaning.
✗ read examples.
3 Look at the photos with the article on page 108. Read only the title, theintroductory paragraph and the concluding paragraph. Complete thestatement below.

SKIMMING

This article will be useful for a student who needs to find out about …
a houses in New Mexico.
b the causes of climate change.
c the conservation of ancient buildings.
d arguments for ecologically responsible construction.
4 How did you find the answer for Exercise 3? What was most helpful – thephotos, the title, the introductory paragraph or the concluding paragraph?
5 Skim the article and write the corresponding paragraph numbers next to
the ideas below. Then check your answers with a partner.
a a type of eco-buildingb a specific example of an eco-homec a current trend in construction
d the need to produce eco-buildings
e the pros and cons of producing eco-buildings
f an example of a public eco-building

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We need more
green buildings
1 In recent years, there has been a general trend for newbuildings to be more environmentally friendly, or more
‘green’. Such a building is sometimes called an ecobuilding. These buildings use energy and water efficiently,
which reduces waste and pollution. However, installingfeatures like solar panels and water-recycling systems
involves higher construction costs than in a traditionalbuilding. Despite these extra costs, green buildings aregood for the planet and their benefits are clear.

the environment. Solar panels provide electricity forlighting and electrical equipment. Water is supplied
directly from a nearby river and is also collected fromthe roof for use in the garden, avoiding the need towaste clean water. Low-impact houses like this one aregreen because they use second-hand materials and do
not rely on fossil fuels, but instead use renewable energy
sources such as solar or wind power.

2 In New Mexico, in the US, there are homes, called
Earthship houses, constructed from recycled bottles,
tyres, aluminium cans and other rubbish. Often thecans, bottles and tyres are filled with soil and then theoutsides are covered with natural mud. These homes
are designed to use solar power – the energy from thesun – rather than electricity produced from fossil fuels1.
These recycled-construction designs are just as relevant
for other types of buildings. In both Uruguay and Sierra
Leone, for example, there are recycled-construction
schools for local children.

5 Critics of these kinds of eco-buildings say that while
they may be good for the environment, there arepractical problems with their affordability. They areoften too costly to become a large-volume method of
construction. There are further concerns over their longterm efficiency. Not much energy can be realisticallygenerated by solar panels in places which do not havelarge amounts of sunlight, and not every location has
access to a natural water source. However, overall,green buildings are worth it. Yet, in order to financeenvironmentally friendly construction and produce anaffordable building, compromises have to be made.
These may be that the building will have to be smalleror made of less durable materials and with technology
which uses more energy. Perhaps these compromises
are easier to make for schools, where ideas about
conservation are useful for education, or for businesses
where ecologically aware features are a usefulmarketing tool, rather than for private homes.

3 In the UAE, the Zulekha Hospital in Sharjah was thefirst Middle Eastern building to be awarded ‘platinum
certification’ by the Green Building Council. They received
this by meeting various green requirements, including
sustainability, water and energy efficiency and indoor
environmental quality. The hospital executives researchedways to make the hospital green during the construction
phase of the building, and numerous features were put
into the design to make it sustainable and show theircommitment to the environment.

4 Another example of an eco-building is a private residencein Wales known as the ‘Hobbit House’. Its frame is madeof wood and the walls are made of straw, which provides
excellent insulation. The roof consists of mud plantedwith grass, which keeps heat in and has a low impact on

6 The argument for constructing green buildings is clear.
According to the United Nations, material resource
use in the construction sector is expected to reachnearly 90 billion tonnes very soon, and may more thandouble by 2050. Without greater resource efficiency,
sustainable development goals will not succeed. We
need to be wise about how we use these resources
for the good of the planet. However, it remains to be
seen whether we are able to accept the financial andpractical compromises of producing and living inenvironmentally friendly buildings.
1

fossil fuels (n) fuels such as gas, coal and oil produced in the earth
from the remains of plants and animals

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WHILE READING
6 Read the article. Write RC (recycled-construction building), HH (Hobbit
House) or N (neither type of building) for the architectural features below.
1 a grass roof
2 a local water source
3 recycled cans and bottles
4 gas heating

READING FOR DETAIL

5 a wooden construction
6 straw walls
7 recycled tyres
8 natural insulation

7 Read the article again. Write T (true), F (false) or DNS (does not say) next
to the statements. Then correct the false statements.
1 Generally, eco-buildings are becoming more popular.
2 Eco-buildings cost double the price of a traditional building.
3 Environmentally friendly practices are relevant, no matter whatsize of building you are constructing.
4 Some old construction methods can be useful inenvironmentally friendly construction.
5 Fossil fuels are examples of renewable types of energy.
6 Some schools are eco-friendly buildings.
7 The United Nations produces data about global energy use.

READING BETWEEN THE LINES
8 Work with a partner. Answer the questions.

MAKING INFERENCES

1 In the introduction, it is stated that ‘the benefits are clear’. What do
you think those benefits are?
2 Why do you think it was necessary for the Zulekha Hospital in Sharjah
to consider green features during the construction phase, rather thanlater on?
3 How do you think recycled-construction schools might be effective
educational aids for the students who attend them?

DISCUSSION
9 Work with a partner. Discuss the questions.
1 Would you live in an eco-home if you had to pay more for its
environmentally friendly features? Why / Why not?
2 Do you think there should be restrictions on how much energy
individuals or institutions should be allowed to use? Why / Why not?

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READING 2
PREPARING TO READ
UNDERSTANDING
KEY VOCABULARY

1 You are going to read an essay on form and function in building design.
Read the sentences and choose the best definition for the words in bold.
1 The function of an architectural drawing is to show what the building
design looks like before it is built.
a complexity or detailb a purpose, or the way something works
2 Buildings which have no windows and are box-like with no uniquefeatures or decoration can seem very depressing.
a making you feel unhappy and without hopeb making you feel physically weak and less active
3 When you see a magnificent work of art, such as a painting or abeautiful building, the creativity behind it can be inspiring.
a giving you new ideas and making you feel you want to do somethingb informative or educational
4 I felt that the people in that city must be pretty civilized when I saw
the beautiful parks and buildings that they have.
a having a well-developed way of life and social systems
b relating to legal issues
5 It reflects badly on citizens who do not take care of their public parks
and buildings.
a reacts tob causes people to think of someone or something in a specified way
6 That architect has a wonderful reputation in her field; she is widely
admired by many other architects.
a the general opinion that people have about someoneb a collection of works
7 He demonstrated the new construction technique for the public at
the building design convention.
a criticized or disapproved of somethingb showed how to do something; explained

USING YOURKNOWLEDGE

SKIMMING

110

2 Work with a partner. Discuss the questions.
1 What are the most beautiful buildings in your country?
2 Are these buildings older buildings or modern constructions?
3 Do people in your country generally prefer modern or older houses?
4 Which is more important for a building: its beauty or its function?
3 Skim the essay opposite. Does the writer think it is more important todesign a building which is beautiful or one which is functional?

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BUILDING DESIGN: form vs function
1 At the start of the twentieth century, Louis Sullivan,
one of the creators of modern architecture, said that‘form follows function’. The term ‘functionalism’ isused to describe the idea behind architecture whichprimarily focuses on the purpose of a building.
However, many people disagree with this and feelthat beauty is a more important factor in architecturaldesign. In the modern world, it seems that mostarchitects try to combine both ideas, aiming to createbuildings which are both functional and inspiring intheir beauty.
2 The reason for creating a building in the first place –its use – is clearly very important. When building anairport terminal, for example, you need to think of
the needs of passengers as well as planes. Passengers
want to get to their plane as quickly as they can, andplanes need to be parked in a way which maximizes
their ease of use. As such, many airport terminals havea circular shape with satellite areas. Residential homes
need to have enough space for a family, art galleries
need wall space to show pictures and factories needto produce goods as efficiently as possible. Each typeof building has a different function, and, therefore, it
has a different form.

organization. People say that living or working in anugly place creates a depressing and uninspiring
environment. In contrast, an attractive building
can make people feel happier and increase theirmotivation to work.
4 In theory, there seems to be no reason whyarchitecture cannot be both functional and beautiful.
Yet in practice, this can cause problems. The Modern
International style of the 1920s and 1930s, an example
of which is the Guggenheim Museum in New York,was supposed to combine beauty with function.
Many consider the museum’s white spiral ramp
beautiful, but there have been complaints that it isimpractical, as it is difficult to stand back to view theart. Also, the ramp is so narrow that it can become
overcrowded. The Farnsworth House by Ludwig Miesvan der Rohe is another icon of beautiful design which
demonstrates the idea that ‘less is more’. However,critics have attacked it for a lack of privacy because of
the huge glass windows. It also has a leaky flat roof
and has been repeatedly flooded. It seems that eventhese two celebrated designs have problems withfunctionality.

3 On the other hand, many people believe thatarchitects have a wider responsibility to society thanjust designing functional buildings. Beautiful, wellconstructed buildings are a symbol of a civilizedsociety and they reflect well on a business or the
reputation of the owner. Ugly public buildings,
however, can project a negative image of the

5 If architects focus only on function, buildings may
be cold, ugly and uninteresting. There is no doubtthat a building with a beautiful form is something
we can all appreciate. On the other hand, if they focus
only on making it look beautiful, the building may
be completely impractical. Therefore, blending these
two ideas is necessary to create the perfect pieceof architecture.

The Guggenheim Museum

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WHILE READINGSUMMARIZING

4 Read the essay again. Then complete the summary.
While some architecture values (1)over form, there is an
opposing view that the (2)of a building is more important
than its functionality. In practice, most (3)strive for a
combination of both ideas.
Architects feel that they are expected to design attractive buildings.
The appearance of a building can (4)either positively or
negatively on its owner. Also, it can have an impact on the users’(5), which affects motivation.
Still, the first consideration in the design of a (6)should(7)
be its purpose. The physical space should allow its
tofunction as efficiently and comfortably as possible.
Although form and function is obviously the ideal, it is not always soeasy to achieve, as shortcomings in several (8)buildings
have shown.

UNDERSTANDING
PARAPHRASE

5 Match the original sentences (1–6) from the text to the correct
paraphrases (a–f).
Original sentences
1 Beautiful, well-constructed buildings are a symbol of a civilized society.
2 People say that living or working in an ugly place creates a depressing
and uninspiring environment.
3 Many people believe that architects have a wider responsibility tosociety than just designing functional buildings.
4 ‘Less is more’.
5 It seems that even these two celebrated designs have problems withfunctionality.
6 Each type of building has a different function, and, therefore, it has adifferent form.
Paraphrases
a Unattractive buildings can make people feel unhappy and bored.
b Attractive, safe buildings represent a cultured society.
c A minimalist design can actually create a more powerful effect.
d Every construction has a different purpose, and is therefore
designed according to different criteria.
e These famous buildings may have won awards, but they still do
not always fulfil users’ needs.
f People who design buildings have a duty to the general public.

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