Karen M. Smith – författare

The ability to adapt to a changing environment has ensured the continued survival of the human race into the 21st century. The challenges to be faced in this century are now well documented by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The effects of drought, melting polar ice and increased incidences of extreme weather events will impact on the diverse landscapes of the earth and a human population predicted to be 9 billion by the middle of the 21st century, a three-fold increase in less than one hundred years.

This book provides a valuable insight into landscaping activity worldwide by those tasked with housing, feeding and nurturing all species that share the planet. Research for this publication reveals the growth of non-anthropized design philosophies, acknowledging that humanity cannot be indefinitely sustained if animal, bird and plant life are excluded. The precious resources of water and the air that we breathe are no longer taken for granted; rivers flowing through the world’s mega-cities are now being cleaned, restored and given pride of place in the landscapes they flow through. Conservation projects provide evidence that even fragile island and desert landscapes can be protected from the negative impacts of population. Eco-Landscape Design demonstrates that an intelligent and thoughtful approach to landscape design can not only ensure survival, it can reap compound benefits and rewards far in excess of those originally envisaged.

"Eco-Urban Design" focuses on the unprecedented challenges currently faced by architects and designers. In a world where climate change, diminishing natural resources and an increasing global population have become indisputable facts of life there is now a rising demand for evolved buildings that no longer endanger the Earth''s fragile ecological systems.

This book endeavours to tell the positive side of the story by featuring considered design solutions provided by the world''s most innovative architects and engineers. By only including realised projects which have been subjected to post construction monitoring this publication provides evidence-based information that measured reductions in carbon emissions, water and energy usage can actually be achieved in the field and not just on the drawing board.

These completed projects demonstrate best practice and will inspire a new hybrid generation of designers who will combine architecture and engineering skills to resolve a key environmental challenge. Furthermore, these creative construction projects from a variety of genres including, commercial property, public buildings, social housing and private homes give testimony to the fact that investment in green archineering also provides a commercial advantage to forward thinking developers and investors.

The ancient pairing of architecture and books has always been an interesting topic for debate, and the increasing popularity of electronic books has recently added fuel to the fire. However, the bonfires built for the printed version remain unlit. Research undertaken for this publication suggests that the traditional reading room is currently enjoying a renaissance in many different guises, with print and digital media enjoying a symbiotic relationship.

The digital revolution is just one of the many challenges faced by the library architect. To satisfy the varied requirements of library users, flexible, future proof, indoor and outdoor spaces must now support both passive and active pursuits. These often contrasting demands can vary dramatically from quiet, contemplative reading to audible public performance.

This publication explores in detail the evolution of the eco-library, focusing on how design teams cope with diminishing resources in diverse geographic and climatic conditions. The featured projects demonstrate measurable reductions in both construction and operating costs through innovative designs that utilise the ecology of a selected site in a positive way. A library development will now inevitably seek to lead by example, visibly demonstrating sound environmental practice, and providing an enhanced user experience for increasingly more discerning patrons.

Eco-Library Design provides a worldwide perspective on 21st century trends in library architecture.