2010 Presentation Themes - Input Needed

[joel.bau...@gmail.com]

All,

This is to start a discussion thread regarding next year's
presentations. As you may know we are planning 3 mini series focused
on Energy, Water and Social Justice. We thought it important to think
about why the COTE is interested in these topics, to define each
theme, and to discuss what we'd like to cover. Here are some initial
thoughts to get things started ... please add your comments and ideas
in the following areas:

Themes: Energy, Water, Social Justice

1) Why are these topics important to the COTE?

Energy and Water
The COTE seeks to advance design that integrates built and natural
systems and is dedicated to preserving the earth’s capability of
sustaining a shared high quality of life.
The construction and operation of buildings use a significant portion
of the energy and water used by humans.
In order to become integrated with the natural, to become sustainable,
architects must understand the importance of these issues. We must
learn how to challenge ourselves, our design teams, our clients,
contractors, etc. to acquire the tools required to design (not only
energy and water efficient buildings, but more importantly)
sustainable buildings (net zero energy & water).
Please add your own thoughts.

Social Justice
The committee reflects the profession’s commitment to provide healthy
and safe environments for people.
In order to strive to provide healthy and safe environments for all
people Architect’s should broaden our views to learn about and reduce
both the immediate impact of building materials and processes upon
occupants, but also upon the people who fabricate the products, and
the local environments where the materials are extracted.
Please add your own thoughts.

2) What should we seek to cover within these topics?

Should we try and cover broad conceptual issues, narrow technical
issues, or both? Should these themes focus on the practical
possibilities of today, long term visions or both? Please add your
own thoughts.

Please add your views, help and knowledge by posting responses to this
thread.

Thanks,
Joel