New (ish) Kid on the Block.
Aug 13th, 2007 by rchitekt
I have quickly found myself landing and settling back into the foothills after 6 years of sponging unique design experience. The word ‘sustainable’ is not used here because of the redundancy it may cause in the information that I will attempt to discuss, question and cheerlead on boulderspace. In fact, if I am doing my job right, this word will never cross my lips; neither will the surplus of synonyms often used to describe well-designed space: green, environmentally friendly, eco-sensitive…
In one month, I have had a range of observations about this built environment: from the radically changed and disheartening, to the restored and left in peace. However, I am amazed at the abundance of aforementioned synonyms to define an underlying muscle, or soul, or “place” in Colorado. Specifically, Boulder. Whether frivolous or sincere, the market is flooded with this awareness and that is the root of my questioning as an editor.
Take Manhattan. It has a notable sense of identity and place, and is a Petri-dish for progressive design. But chartreuse and slogans containing “recyclable” are not a big part of the picture. Perhaps I am comparing apples and oranges, but I am curious: Does the Boulder community and beyond require these catch-phrases and signals to identify with good design and culture? Can this esteemed and saturated trend nestled in the middle of America gain enough momentum to inspire progressive nods from afar? Hmmmm…..
So this is my introductory inquiry. What follows will contain some observations of and prodding into whatever it is that keeps this little place ticking in hopes that the integrity of design and culture triumph.
“New Kid on the block” — Welcome!
I am looking forward to your inquiry into what makes Boulder tick…
Rchitekt: I, for one, am fascinated by the implications of language beyond simple discourse. I think that, right now, we are witnessing an extreme amplification, and therefore the extreme shortening in the life span of these catch phrases in the land development, real estate, and design arenas.
I have a relative in another city on the western slope who’s a realtor. He recently discovered he can become a “green certified” realtor by taking one ten-hour course. I imagine that, very soon, almost all realtors will become “green certified,” and when that happens, the very term will become almost meaningless. This scenario seems to be playing out in construction and architecture.
What I haven’t been able to do yet is to determine whether this is a bad, a neutral, or a good thing. Take the recycling phenomenon: back in the 80’s, no one was really recycling; now, almost everyone I’ve been in contact with in various communities across the country are at the very least aware of the importance of recycling, and most recycle to some extent. So as the debate about this issue continues, there’s been a much-heightened public awareness about it. So if in five years all real estate agents and all contractors are “green,” won’t most people simply expect them to be? Won’t the marketplace demand some level of action from these industries?
Or is the title, the certification, simply a surface one, allowing the consumer to choose from among the green, and then conduct business as usual? Will consumers choose to buy a townhome in the “new, sustainable development,” and then live their lives as usual, allowing the slogan to become their contribution?
I do believe, overall, that the slogans and catchphrases we’re seeing will ultimately serve to heighten awareness if nothing else. It’s up to us as concerned individuals to keep the ball rolling and to demand action beyond the language, especially once their lifespan has expired and the terms are no longer in common use.