SMART GREEN AND JUST: A REVISED AGENDA FOR ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

ARC 327R.16 / ARC 386M.18 / LAR 388 / CRP 381M
Thurs, 5 – 8 pm, SUT 3.126
Open to all ARC, CRP, LAR, UD, and non-SOA students
Professor Simon Atkinson: simonatkinson@austin.utexas.edu
 

An examination of values, writings, and case studies in consideration of the design of city environments. We work in response to the social and ecological challenges facing cities and to develop an architecture and landscape architecture of resilient design approaches to improve the quality of life for all.

Smart:       References the growth, demands and opportunities of the intelligent society.

Green:      Revised approaches to living with nature and incorporating climate-positive and green energy-based agendas.

Just:         The engaged city, - one society, one world, but of many parts and differences.

Students will gain knowledge of key principles and values steering the design of the contemporary city through case studies and readings addressing: 

  • City ecologies and interventions to design the resilient, green and climate-positive living city;
  • Design to harness the life-giving properties of sun, water, wind, and geo-thermal energy;
  • The making of democratic city place;
  • The reestablishment of community and neighborhood;
  • Design for “home attachment” and a zero-carbon footprint architecture;
  • Change through resourceful materiality, energy, food, mobility, leading to greater opportunity and affordability; and
  • Design for universal, safe and affordable access from home to city life.

 

two pyramid diagrams labeled sociable city and ecological city

A syllabus and fuller outline can be found here. Please contact Professor Atkinson with questions. 

PROGRAM(S)

Architecture
Architectural History
Community and Regional Planning
Historic Preservation
Landscape Architecture
Sustainable Design
Urban Design

SEMESTER(S)

Spring 2025