2/9 Center for Architecture and Design

In my sustainability group, we had a chance to tour the Center for Architecture Foundation’s museum and learn about green buildings such as the Bank of America Tower located at One Bryant Park. I was in a group with Ella, Calen, Niles, Jack G., Manny, and Henry. We learned about what architects have to think about when designing green buildings, like eco friendly transportation, not cutting down trees, but re-using materials, and enhancing indoor environmental quality. After our tour around the small, but very informative museum, we got together to talk about how we would help the kids coming in with their families to build and design their own green buildings. Recycled materials were used to create the buildings, and our goal was to create the least amount of garbage as possible. I was a little nervous at first since I didn’t really know what I was doing, and because it was my first time, but after I started walking around to the different tables, I got the hang of it, and ended up having a great time. We went around asking the families what their houses were, how different things they added were “green”. Most of the families knew what they were doing, but a few were stuck or didn’t know where or how to start. I think I did well going around to different families, asking if I could help, adding suggestions to make their buildings more “green”, etc. Overall I had a great time helping out, and I learned a lot about green buildings and architecture. I felt accomplished after this session, and I can’t wait till next month’s session. I hope that my other group members feel the same! For the next time I meet with my group, I hope to learn even more about eco-friendly buildings, and get more chances to experiment with my own. I would like to keep in mind what goes in to making a “green” building, so on the Day of Learning, other people who weren’t in my group will have a chance to find out information on what aspects are thought out to construct an eco-friendly building.