William McDonough: A sage in Sustainable Architecture
William McDonough is more than just an architect; he is a visionary. His work in designing environmentally responsible buildings has made him a sage in sustainable architecture.
William McDonough is the brain behind William McDonough + Partners, a firm that’s all about green architecture. They’re tackling today’s environmental and economic challenges with a team spirit and a solid set of principles.
Their mantra? Think like nature is all about making design a force for good. Their goal is to create buildings that are more than just functional; they want them to be smart, adaptable, and environmentally friendly. They envision buildings that mimic the functions of trees, are photosynthetic, biologically active, and contribute positively to the environment by:
- Accumulating solar energy.
- Cycling nutrients.
- Releasing oxygen and fixing nitrogen.
- Purifying water and sequestering carbon.
- Providing habitats, creating food, building soil, and adapting through seasons.
In a nutshell, William McDonough + Partners is all about creating spaces that are good for people and the planet, proving that going green can be smart, stylish, and feasible.
McDonough’s Cradle-to-Cradle Philosophy
The McDonough’s Cradle-to-Cradle principle establishes a harmony between humans and nature. It is not merely a construction philosophy, but rather one that promotes conscious design.
Environment: Positive Design
McDonough’s goal is not only for buildings and products to be less harmful but also to contribute positively to the environment.
Waste to Resource
Cradle-to-cradle promotes a world where everything is a resource for something new, thus redefining cyclical materials. Waste is seen as a resource to be recycled indefinitely rather than an outcome. This new revolutionary model goes against the traditional linear ‘take-make-dispose’ concept and encourages sustainable coexistence, like how waste material for humans decomposes to become food for microorganisms.
Use of Safe Materials
It promotes the use of materials that are safe for humans and the environment throughout the product’s lifecycle.
Renewable Energy and Water Management
The idea advocates the use of renewable energy in manufacturing processes as well as the responsible and sustainable use of water and other natural resources like solar and wind.
Social Equity
The Cradle to Cradle philosophy also highlights fair labor practices and active participation in creating a positive impact on the community.
Case Studies of McDonough’s Projects
NASA Sustainability Base
Project Location: Moffett Field, California.
Year of Completion: 2011
Area: 50,000 square feet
The NASA Sustainability Base is a government facility model that combines the wonders of space exploration with the essentials of environmental harmony, resulting from a collaboration between NASA’s technological prowess and McDonough’s sustainable vision.
The Sustainability Base is named after the first human outpost on the moon, ‘Tranquility Base,’ and its sustainability vision.
Sustainable Features
To ensure maximum energy efficiency, passive and active energy systems were used. The project utilizes a blend of passive (hydronic geothermal) and active (heat exchangers, radiant ceiling tiles) systems for heating, cooling, and natural lighting, optimizing energy consumption.
The project is planned in a way that makes use of the local climate, allowing wind to cool the building naturally and reducing the need for artificial cooling. Smart energy management technologies are employed to monitor and optimize energy usage, ensuring minimal waste. The On-site BloomBox® ES-5700 generator produces more electricity than the peak demand, complemented by SunPower® E-19 panels on the roof generating 87 kW, covering about 30% of the yearly energy requirement. Excess energy produced is fed back into the local grid at the Ames substation.
The buildings employ technology from the International Space Station to recycle sink and shower greywater for toilet flushing and use remediated groundwater from a local Superfund site for irrigation, leading to a 90% reduction in potable water use compared to similar-sized facilities.
Adhering to a strict materials selection protocol, the project prioritized Cradle to Cradle CertifiedTM products where feasible, cost-effective, and products obtainable through competitive bidding were used in the project.
Awards and Recognition
- LEED® Platinum certification
NASA’s Sustainability Base underscores the project’s innovative integration of sustainable practices, from energy and water systems to material selection, setting a precedent for future federal and architectural endeavors.
Herman Miller Greenhouse Factory and Offices
Project Location: Holland, Michigan
Year of Completion: 1995
Area: 295,000 square feet
The Herman Miller “GreenHouse” factory and offices in Holland, Michigan, stand as a paradigm of how eco-effective design can significantly boost occupant health, corporate productivity, and profitability.
Sustainable Features
The building maximizes interior daylighting and fresh air circulation in both office and manufacturing spaces to improve comfort, health, and communication.
“The Street,” a central open corridor, runs the length of the building and serves as a vibrant public space that encourages cross-departmental interaction and provides views of the outside, thereby improving psychological and social well-being.
The “GreenHouse” seamlessly integrates its interior and exterior landscapes into the surrounding site, fostering a sense of connection to nature.
Awards and Recognition
- AIA Committee on the Environment, Top Ten Environmental Buildings, 1997
- Business Week/Architectural Record Good Design Is Good Business Award, 1997
- AIA Central Virginia Honor Award, 1998
- International Development Research Council Award for Distinguished Service in Environmental Planning, 1995
- Recognized with the inaugural “Good Design Is Good Business” Award by Business Week/Architectural Record, showcasing the project’s impact on enhancing workplace environments.
The Herman Miller “GreenHouse reflects the impact of integrating eco-effective design principles into the workplace, demonstrating that good design indeed translates to good business by fostering a healthier, more productive, and interconnected work environment.
Ford Rouge Center
Project Location: Dearborn, Michigan
Year of Completion: 2003
Area: 600 acres
The Ford Rouge Center represents William McDonough’s vision of a harmonious balance between industrial strength and environmental awareness. Under his leadership, this facility now serves not only its primary purpose in the automotive industry but also as an important advocate for environmental responsibility.
Sustainable Features
Ford Rouge Center has a living roof that spans more than ten acres. The living roof supports a variety of plant species, which improves air quality, provides insulation, and serves as a wildlife habitat. The green roof addressed stormwater management issues by mimicking the absorptive properties of natural landscapes. Porous pavements were used to relieve pressure on drainage systems and replenish groundwater through rainwater penetration.
The 20-year visionary plan saved Ford Motor Company $35 million in capital costs by integrating a novel stormwater management infrastructure that prioritized landscape-based solutions over traditional pipe-based systems. A series of wetlands were built to naturally filter stormwater, taking an environmentally friendly approach to water management. This approach not only reduced costs to less than one-third of traditional methods, but it also created a compelling business case for sustainable design.
This project shows how the sustainable design of industrial sites can create functional ecosystems that benefit both the environment and business.
Method Home Products Factory (South Side Soapbox)
Project Location: Chicago, Illinois
Year of Completion: 2015
The Method Home Products Factory, also known as the South Side Soapbox, is an excellent example of McDonough’s sustainable industrial design, which challenges and changes factory design norms. This factory is more than just a manufacturing hub; it is a declaration of environmental ethics and community commitment, ushering in a new era of environmentally friendly manufacturing practices.
Sustainable Features
The Method Home Products Factory has colorful, welcoming awnings that serve as sun shades, helping to regulate heating and cooling needs and providing an inviting facade to the community.
The facility includes the world’s largest rooftop greenhouse at 75,000 square feet, and addresses the area’s “food desert” issue by providing fresh greens to the local community. This urban greenhouse demonstrates the dedication to designing buildings that mimic natural processes.
A refurbished on-site wind turbine covers 50% of the facility’s energy needs, supplemented by solar trees that provide hot water to office sinks and showers, showcasing Method’s dedication to sustainability.
Awards and Recognition
- LEED® Platinum Certification
- Green Roofs For Healthy Cities Special Recognition Award, 2018
- Steel Joist Institute’s 2017 Design Award, Industrial Category
The Method Manufacturing Facility is a pioneering example of how industrial design can contribute positively to both the environment and the local community.
Cradle-to-Cradle Certification
By 2002, William McDonough and German chemist Dr. Michael Braungart had co-developed the “Cradle to Cradle” (C2C) design philosophy. This led to the Cradle to Cradle certification.
With the philosophy of cradle-to-cradle being started by McDonough and Braungart, they cofounded a firm known as McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) in 2005 to provide a framework for businesses and designers to follow and create products and design buildings that adhered to the cradle-to-cradle philosophy. This standard additionally offers a very comprehensive certification process that assesses the products according to numerous human and environmental health criteria.
The certification was ultimately handed to the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, a nonprofit organization that oversees global governance and management for the ongoing preservation of the standard’s neutrality and accessibility.
Thus, McDonough’s vision and advocacy for sustainable design practices not only popularized the ideology but also helped establish a credible and comprehensive certification process that is recognized globally.
Conclusion
William McDonough makes us see buildings from a different standpoint. He visualizes a future architectural era that will live in harmony with nature, where the spaces we create are capable of enriching and sustaining our planet.
Image Citations:
- DuHun Photography (2017). William McDonough. [online] Available at: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/William_McDonough_2017_Preferred_Headshot_©DuHun_Photography_(2).jpg [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners (2020). NASA Sustainability Base. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/NASA_01-1500×945.jpg [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners (2020). NASA Sustainability Base Site Plan with Sun path Analysis. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/NASA_03b-1680×945.jpg [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners (2020). NASA Sustainability Base Interiors. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/NASA_07.jpg [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners (2020). NASA Sustainability Base Solar Panels. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/NASA_09-1680×945.jpg [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners (2009). Herman Miller GreenHouse Factory. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Herman-Miller_10-2048×1152.jpg [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners (2009). Herman Miller GreenHouse Factory ‘The Street’ Section. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Herman-Miller_05b-2048×1151.jpg [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners (2009). Herman Miller GreenHouse Factory Section. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Herman-Miller_08-2048×1152.jpg [accessed Februaryd 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners (2009). Ford Rouge Center. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Ford-Rouge_14-2048×1152.jpg [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners (2009). Ford Rouge Center Sustainable Features. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Ford-Rouge_02-2048×1152.jpg [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners (2015). Method Home Products Factory. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Method_03-2048×1152.jpg [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners (2015). Method Home Products Factory Green House. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Method_08-2048×1152.jpg [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners (2015). Method Home Products Factory Interiors. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Method_07-2048×1152.jpg [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
References:
- McDonough Partners. Cradle to Cradle Design. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/cradle-to-cradle-design/ [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners. NASA Sustainability Base. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/projects/nasa-sustainability-base/ [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners. GreenHouse Factory Offices. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/projects/greenhouse-factory-offices/ [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners. Ford Rouge Center Landscape Master Plan. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/projects/ford-rouge-center-landscape-master-plan/ [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
- McDonough Partners. Method Home. [online] Available at: https://mcdonoughpartners.com/projects/method-home/ [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].
