Re-Invented Water-Related Spaces in the Built Environment

Abstract

The focus of this paper is the environmental awareness used for the water-related built environment – both on a building and urban scale. Water as natural element plays an enormous role in shaping our natural and built environments, thus it has also radically formed architectural thinking on creating space throughout the ages worldwide. Observing evolving building technology gives us an overview, which allows us to recognize a pattern in architectural thinking on creating water-related spaces, even if it was built for residential, commercial, recreational or representational purposes. A deeper understanding of the fundamental relationship between nature, water and settlements, helps reduce the disadvantageous impact of human activity on nature, which has been growing over time. Sustainable design methods need to be (re)invented to meet new and changing conditions in settlements, for living in harmony with nature as it once was. Nowadays, new paths and solutions have opened up at an accelerating pace, thanks to the research and development in technology, which also provides an opportunity for a continuous dialogue between nature and architecture. Contemporary architecture tries to reshape its way of thinking on nature, based on the idea of re-finding a harmonious symbiosis with the power of science and technology to provide sustainable alternatives for the future.