From Yesterday Toward Tomorrow

The previous chapters of this book tackled some (but not the only) leverages at the disposal of the designer (architect in particular) that save energy in buildings. This requirement was not explicit until two or three decades ago although, as the building is just a commodity (a very expensive one), it was an important issue for the client who could “get more with less,” in this case more energy with less costs. And designing comfortable buildings with lower operating costs was an attractive challenge. The chapter presents and analyzes examples of buildings which prove that a holistic approach from the early stages of the building design, carried out by the extended team of specialists under the “wand” of the architect, will lead to solutions that save energy. The endeavor is often an applied interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary scientific research, and the result is the creation of unique spaces that enter a dialogue with the environment in which they integrate and to which they belong. Such buildings are not new. They are not old either. They are timeless.