Sustainability - A Principle of Education in Architecture (and Not Only)

Sustainability is a term that defines the ability of a system to function for an indefinite time. From the definition given in the Brundtland report in 1987 - as the “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” - the approach received different nuances and new facets, as today the term refers not only to the environmental development - that includes the natural resources - but also to the economic, social, cultural, safety aspects. Sustainability cannot be accomplished by actions coming from only one direction, all aspects that were mentioned above having to be studied and matched in a sustainable approach. Why this introduction? Because the architectural approach needs to be a complex one, that deals not only with building materials and building principles but also with traditions, culture, history, economy, sociology. In a very large sense, the architect is an educator and a mediator in the contemporary society and not only a builder. This paper intends to put a light on the relation between architecture and sustainability and the role of the architect in the contemporary society.