Ecology, Ethics, and the Making of Things: A World-Renowned Architect Argues That Following the Law of Nature Can Make Human Industry Safe and Healthful

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When architectural historian Vincent Scully gave a eulogy for the great architect Louis Kahn, he describe a day when both were crossing Red Square, whereupon Scully excitedly turned to Kahn and said, "Isn't it wonderful the the domes of St. Basil's Cathedral reach up into the sky?" Kahn looked up and thoughtfully for a moment and said, "Isn't it beautiful the way they come down to the ground?"

If we understand at design leads to the manifestation of human intention, and if what we make with our hands is to be sacred and honor the earth that gives us life, then the things we make must not only rise from the ground but return to it, soil to soil, water to water, so everything that is received from the earth can be freely given back without causing harm to any living system. This is ecology. This is good design.

We can use certain fundamental laws inherent to the natural world as models and mentors for human designs. Ecology comes from the Greek roots oikos and logos, "household" and "logical discourse." Thus it is appropriate, if not imperative, for architects to discourse about the logic of our earth household. To do so, …