Architecture is more than just the built environment around us. It symbolizes the sociocultural and economic standing of the users and the world around them. Thus, storytelling and Architecture have also gone hand in hand. Each building around us has a story to tell us. From the reason why it was built to the lives that were lived in and around the structures. A few notable and iconic examples of Storytelling in Architecture include the Sydney Opera House by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon inspired by the sails of a boat and the Falling Waters by F.L. Wright, which was inspired by the natural surroundings of the site and the features that were already existing.
Storytelling of Architecture in the 21st century
As the world progresses and modernizes so does the field of Architecture. The 21st century has now become synonymous with various phenomena such as the takeover of artificial intelligence, global warming and the climate crisis, economic emergencies in various countries, etc. In such circumstances, the buildings we create and the environments we design also have changed not only in their aesthetic appeal of the current age but also in the purpose and process of the way they are built. The need of the hour has become to design and build structures that do not harm the ecosystem and can sustain themselves as individual units and give back to the environment.
Storytelling in Sustainability-Delos Global Headquarters
According to the world-renowned AEC company Gensler, Storytelling of Architecture in today’s day and age, especially when it comes to sustainability, is best done when the story is kept personal. ‘To speak to users on a more personal level, buildings need to speak to the personal impact they have on people. Architects must remember the perspective of the end users of the spaces they design.’ The Delos Global headquarters is an example of this. Located in the heart of New York City’s Meatpacking District, the Delos Global Headquarters at 860 Washington Street serves as an example illustrating the best practices meeting the highest building certification standards available for adoption today.
Carbon use- the Identity of the project
Gensler made sure to keep carbon as a part of the identity of the building, especially since the goal of the designers was to pursue three certifications- the Living Building Challenge Petal certification, LEED v4, and WELL New and Existing Interiors. Designing a building with these goals requires constant communication and coordination with several consultants and contractors. Thus, keeping the storytelling of the building concerning carbon use at every stage was key to properly communicating its design goals, not only with the users but also with those involved in various stages of its design and construction.
There are several examples that can be highlighted in which various illustrations were used to communicate with the stakeholders of the project. An example of the carbon use of the building is in the diagram shown below.
“We don’t design for specialists, we design for everyone,” Giacomo says. “By highlighting how sustainable choices impact our health and well-being, occupants become more aware of the connection between the built environment and their personal life and their personal health.”
Another example where the Gensler team created a branded digital experience that illustrates their mission is by visualizing building sensor data in a digital form that interacts with employees and guests. These digital screens were used to communicate to the users the internal air quality, temperature, solar gain, etc. of the interior spaces.
Even though educational institutions still educate architects and interior designers on how to build static structures, the ability to tell meaningful tales through digital screens—especially ones with dynamics—remains largely unexplored in the curriculum. From ancient cave paintings to contemporary, highly developed digital walls, this examination of architectural history demonstrates how art and space have evolved throughout time. Lighting designer Brad Koerner describes the prerequisites for building dynamic, AI-powered digital walls that turn plain surfaces into interactive narratives.
Storytelling through the Community – a Mission
By achieving the Place petal the building was able to create a sense of belonging to the users not only through its location but also through its participation in various initiatives such as the Living Future’s Habitat Exchange program which allows the institute to aggregate funds from participating teams over the year to make an annual purchase of an intact ecosystem.
Sustainability has no longer become a bonus to a project that elevates it. It is on its way to becoming the norm in architecture, especially with the destruction of the earth’s ecosystems. The current focus on greenfield projects needs to be diverted and focus on the rejuvenation of places and regenerative architecture needs to be given more attention in the form of research and development, for the betterment of the environment. The Delos building is just an example of one of the buildings that embody these stepping stones to creating a better future for all of us.
Citations:
Askwith, L. and Mari, G. (2024) The importance of ‘carbon storytelling’ in future sustainable architecture, Gensler. Available at: https://www.gensler.com/blog/carbon-storytelling-future-sustainable-architecture (Accessed: November 2024).
(YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ6-0VQ3UTc (Accessed: November 2024).
R, B.M. (2023) Building narratives: How storytelling shapes architectural design, LinkedIn. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/building-narratives-how-storytelling-shapes-design-bakyalakshmi-m-r (Accessed: November 2024).
Delos headquarters tenant renovation (no date) Living Future. Available at: https://living-future.org/case-studies/delos-headquarters-tenant-renovation/#:~:text=Standing%20above%20the%20High%20Line,standards%20available%20for%20adoption%20today (Accessed: November 2024).
