Four Videos from the AIA

Four Videos from the AIA

American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment, 1735 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20006; 800/365-ARCH, 202/626-7300.

Last winter and spring the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment organized a series of three video teleconferences entitled “Building Connections.” The conferences were “attended” by people at dozens of locations who watched panel discussions and video segments illustrating building case studies, and had the opportunity to contact the panels with questions. Now highlights of the three teleconferences are available on four videotapes, one of each conference and one compilation of case studies from all three.

The videos, like the teleconferences, are a bit rough at the edges, though they do offer a lot by way of information and ideas. Dennis Hayes has impeccable credentials as a theorist and organizer for environmental causes, but as host and moderator he is awkward and uncomfortable. In general, the panel sessions come across as choreographed sound bites rather than actual discussions, and the editing overall is far from seamless. Even so, each field is covered in great breadth, with specialists touching on all the important issues. In a few short minutes on the

Healthy Buildings video, IAQ expert Hal Levin gives a terrific overview of current research on sick buildings. On the

Energy and Resource Efficiencies video, a section of animated graphics on lifecycle analysis of building materials is truly inspired.

The case studies, interspersed with panel discussions and interviews on each video and collected separately, are the most entertaining aspect of the series, though they also vary greatly in quality. On the Energy video, for example, a study of Way Station’s new facility in Frederick, Maryland is very thorough and informative, while hearing Amory Lovins run through the virtues of the Rocky Mountain Institute leaves us in the dark as to how the building is put together. Ironically, the most inspiring segment of the whole set has the least to do with architects—it is a piece about efforts by residents of Harlem to reclaim and transform their city by cultivating gardens and parks.

On the whole these videos are useful as an introduction to the many issues surrounding each of the topics, but they don’t offer the depth of discussion one might have hoped for from such talented participants. As a first attempt at summarizing these topics on video they are commendable, and as an overview they are a worthwhile addition to any video library. If you can’t afford the whole set, consider getting the case studies compilation to see the inner workings of some innovative buildings.