Abstract (300 words maximum)
This paper addresses the central problem of reconciling architectural aesthetics with sustainability by exploring the question: How can us as designers achieve beauty in design without unnecessary material waste? Previous work has failed to adequately address this question, overlooking the potential for integrating historical architectural philosophies with modern sustainable practices. My research tackles this question by examining the writings and thoughts of Leon Battista Alberti and Adolf Loos, highlighting their similarities and differences, and proposing a practical and impactful approach to ornamentation. It will explore how architects can draw inspiration from Alberti's principles of harmony and proportion while embracing Loos's minimalist approach to design in order to create buildings that are visually appealing yet environmentally responsible. The intersections of aesthetics, ornamentation, style, technology, and ethics, will be analyzed aiming to guide future designers in creating beautiful, useful, and sustainable built environments. By analyzing historical works and their use of ornamentation across different time periods, I aim to offer insights into designing for a more sustainable future while preserving an architectural beauty of today.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CACM - Architecture
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Ehsan Sheikholharam Mashhadi
Balancing Aesthetics and Sustainability in Architecture Through a Comparative study of Alberti and Loos
This paper addresses the central problem of reconciling architectural aesthetics with sustainability by exploring the question: How can us as designers achieve beauty in design without unnecessary material waste? Previous work has failed to adequately address this question, overlooking the potential for integrating historical architectural philosophies with modern sustainable practices. My research tackles this question by examining the writings and thoughts of Leon Battista Alberti and Adolf Loos, highlighting their similarities and differences, and proposing a practical and impactful approach to ornamentation. It will explore how architects can draw inspiration from Alberti's principles of harmony and proportion while embracing Loos's minimalist approach to design in order to create buildings that are visually appealing yet environmentally responsible. The intersections of aesthetics, ornamentation, style, technology, and ethics, will be analyzed aiming to guide future designers in creating beautiful, useful, and sustainable built environments. By analyzing historical works and their use of ornamentation across different time periods, I aim to offer insights into designing for a more sustainable future while preserving an architectural beauty of today.