A roadmap to Renewable Adaptive Recyclable Environmental (R.A.R.E.) architecture

R.A.R.E. stands for Renewable Adaptive Recyclable Environmental Architecture; the acronym expresses a demand that is becoming increasingly important today in the eyes of designers and clients. The paper draws on the contents and the pedagogical methods applied in a Building Technology Unit (SRT 450) – at forth year level – at the School of Architecture and Building, Deakin University, Australia. The unit is basically structured upon eight subjects derived as relevant to the research and development for a R.A.R.E. Architecture: Sustainable Site & Climate Analysis; Flexible & Adaptive Structural Systems; Renewable Adaptive & Environmental Building Materials; Modular Building Systems; Innovative Building Envelope Systems; Renewable or Non-conventional Energy Systems; Innovative Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning; Water Storage & Systems. The overall objective of the unit is to present a comprehensive overview of all these Sustainable Building Categories (SBCs) so that the students can produce a guide towards the design of a R.A.R.E. Architecture. The push towards a holistic and integrated approach will contribute to the definition of an innovative architecture, which is both progressive and sustainable.<br />