ABSTRACT
Sustainability has been identified as a concept in architecture defined by differing taxonomies of approach, including bioclimatic design, renewable technologies, sustainable urbanism, dynamic sustainability, biophilia, healing environments, and thin places. Phillip James Tabb argues that these concepts have been considered separately and are in need of integration into an umbrella concept shaping them into a single comprehensive framework organized by the five elements, which they each share. There are two meanings for the word “elemental.” The first relates to the realm of archetypes and principles, or fundamental and essential constituents. The second relates to the embodying powers of nature, of fire, earth, air, water, and ether. In this chapter, Tabb suggests that elemental architecture addresses both these definitions emphasizing impacts on the environment, energy independence, on-site resource use, and health and wellness outcomes in ways that are simultaneously easily understood and capable of adaption of future innovation. By tracing the element’s history, mythology, and science, and identifying their fundamental qualities, benefits, and detriments, they combine to form the basis of elemental architecture applied to all scales of the built environment. The chapter posits that both pragmatic applications to architecture and design, and our transcendent behavioral responses to the elements are important to consider.
