TRAILBLAZER
JASON F . MCLENNAN
The nature of building design is at a point where it has to keep up with the state of nature on the planet – Jason McLennan is here to show that it can
Architectural rendering of McLennan Design ' s Yale Divinity School project
The building of Jason McLennan ’ s dreams is like a flower : it would fit seamlessly as an organic growth out of its habitat , rooted in place and self-sufficient in its environment .
He speaks of it with a concise eloquence : “ It can ’ t pollute the soil or the earth around it , or it dies . In fact , when it dies , it becomes nutrients for the next cycle . When it ’ s alive , it reacts actively to temperature and humidity and becomes a habitat for critters , some that we see and some that we don ’ t . And the kicker for me is that it is just so beautiful .”
“ Why ,” McLennan asks , “ can ’ t we do these things that nature does ?”
The US-based architect sought to answer this question in his approach to design . Make the building completely sustainable ; design it so it collects rain water and sun rays ; fit it out with a plumbing system that processes its refuse in-house ; make it an integral part of its surroundings rather than a burden on them .
This approach has made him a lodestar in the green building
20 February 2023