green shift and the shrinking universe
Subtitle: The relation between passive solar and green design
By: Conall O'Cathain.
Contributors: Design Research Society.; Manchester Polytechnic. Institute of Advanced Studies.; Greening of Design (Conference) (1992 : Institute of Advanced Studies, Manchester Polytechnic)
Edition: September
Series: International Journal of Architectural Management, No. 15, 1998,  (pp. 97-104). ISSN 1026-3454
Published: 1998
Language: eng
Description: (added by the author 20 February 2010)

ABSTRACT
After describing how the realisation that there are limits to growth has become more widespread; this paper suggests that as a result of the new emphasis on ecological thinking - the "green shift" - our world is in fact shrinking. The concepts of entropy and systems thinking are introduced. This leads to a brief description of the growth of scientific knowledge in relation to architectural design and the use of quantified knowledge by architects. After a brief discussion of energy use in domestic buildings the basic ideas behind passive solar design are illustrated. The paper finishes by discussing principles for environmentally benign design.

Author's note:
This paper made the fundamental point that, "Ecologically sustainable activities are those which, as in Nature, minimise entropy increases."  This means that curbing entropy increases has to be the basis and object of all sustainable design.

The paper is available free from the author <conall@ocathain.org>
Notes: Paper given at the seminar, The greening of design, organised by the Design Research Society, held in the Institute of Advanced Studies,Manchester Polytechnic.
Table of contents: class: section