TEDxEastSalon - Bjarke Ingels - Hedonistic Sustainability

Summary

This transcript presents an architect's vision for transforming architecture into eco-systems that support both ecological and economic sustainability. By blending environmental awareness with increased life quality, projects like the Danish Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo and Copenhagen’s ‘8 House’ illustrate how design can balance sustainability with enjoyment. Emphasizing public participation and urban engagement, the speaker explores innovative ideas, such as a waste-to-energy plant with a ski slope. These concepts aim to reshape cities into interconnected, sustainable, and enjoyable environments, bridging Scandinavian ideals with global urban design challenges, including projects in Manhattan.

Takeaways

• 😀 Architects are evolving beyond traditional design roles to become designers of ecosystems, integrating ecology and economy into their work.
• 😀 Sustainable design should not be viewed as a moral sacrifice but as an exciting design challenge that enhances life quality.
• 😀 The Danish Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo was designed to showcase how sustainable cities improve life quality through features like bike lanes and clean harbor water.
• 😀 In Copenhagen, the 'Mountain' project combines parking and apartment spaces in a way that maximizes sunlight and views, creating green urban spaces in the city center.
• 😀 The '8 House' in Copenhagen is an innovative mixed-use development that encourages public life to spill into private spaces, creating a three-dimensional urban experience.
• 😀 In Tallinn, the new city hall was designed to facilitate public interaction by elevating the building and creating a space where citizens can engage directly with politicians.
• 😀 Copenhagen’s waste-to-energy plant features a ski slope on its roof, transforming an industrial site into a public space that fosters interaction and environmental awareness.
• 😀 Sustainability in architecture can be fun and engaging, as demonstrated by the playful concept of turning a chimney’s smoke into art through giant smoke rings.
• 😀 The idea of 'hedonistic sustainability' proposes that sustainable practices can be enjoyable and enhance quality of life, rather than being burdensome or politically difficult.
• 😀 The speaker advocates for large-scale regional planning that connects cities through sustainable infrastructure, such as waste management, energy grids, and public transportation.
• 😀 The integration of art and design with sustainability is highlighted in projects like the Copenhagen waste plant, where architectural features like green walls and ski slopes promote environmental education and public engagement.

Q & A

What role do architects play in creating sustainable cities and environments?

Architects are no longer just designers of buildings; they are now expected to design ecosystems that balance ecological and economic factors, managing resources such as heat, energy, waste, and water. This holistic approach aims to make human presence beneficial rather than detrimental to the environment.

What was the failure at COP15, and how does it relate to sustainable design?

COP15 in 2009 was a failure because the goals set for climate action were not met, and sustainability discussions became bogged down in debates over sacrifices to quality of life. The speaker argues that sustainability shouldn't be a moral dilemma but a design challenge that enhances life quality rather than diminishing it.

How did the Danish Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo demonstrate sustainable design?

The Danish Pavilion showcased sustainable cities through a loop of urban life, featuring elements like a Copenhagen-style bike lane and a clean harbor where visitors could experience swimming in the water. It aimed to show how sustainable cities could increase life quality while promoting eco-friendly lifestyles.

What was the significance of Ai Weiwei's artwork at the Danish Pavilion?

Ai Weiwei's installation, a Chinese surveillance camera, symbolized political dissent. The camera broadcast live footage to Copenhagen, making the pavilion a global 'speaker's corner' for China. This work became particularly poignant as Ai Weiwei was later silenced by the Chinese government.

How does the 8 House in Copenhagen challenge traditional architectural design?

The 8 House combines different building functions like shops, offices, apartments, and townhouses in a stacked, distorted form that maximizes views and sunlight. It allows public life to invade private spaces, creating a dynamic urban environment where spontaneous social encounters are possible.

What is the concept behind the new city hall in Tallinn, Estonia?

The new city hall was designed to promote public participation by elevating the building so that the ground floor could be accessible to the public. It combines various departments into a 'public village,' allowing citizens to interact with government officials and offering a panoramic view from the roof.

How does the 'Loop City' concept in Copenhagen aim to integrate sustainability?

Loop City is a metropolitan project that connects Copenhagen with southern Sweden through a bridge, creating a binational region. It aims to integrate public transportation, waste management, water management, and renewable energy systems into a cohesive infrastructure, promoting sustainability at a regional level.

What makes the waste-to-energy plant in Copenhagen a model of sustainable design?

The plant turns waste into energy, providing heating and electricity for the city. It is designed to be an architectural landmark, incorporating a ski slope on the roof and plantings that use rainwater for irrigation, turning the facility into a socially and environmentally sustainable public space.

What role does art play in the design of the Copenhagen waste-to-energy plant?

Art is integrated into the design of the plant with a unique feature: the chimney emits smoke rings when it reaches a certain CO2 threshold. This playful artistic expression raises awareness about CO2 emissions, while also making the power plant a more engaging and informative public space.

How is the Copenhagen waste-to-energy plant both a technical and artistic achievement?

The plant is not only a technical marvel for waste-to-energy conversion but also an architectural achievement, combining sustainability with innovative design. It transforms a typically unattractive industrial site into a valuable public space, demonstrating how technical infrastructure can blend with art and enhance the urban environment.