architecture-interiorarchitecture-ecological

WHAT IT MEANS / OUR DESIGN APPROACH

ECOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE merges the interests of sustainability, environmental consciousness, green, natural, and
organic approaches to evolve a design solution from these requirements and from the characteristics of the site, its
neighborhood context, and the local mirco-climate and topography.
ECOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE is naturally site-sensitive. The location of a building has a direct impact on its performance.
The local ecology of the site, its gradient, orientation, and exposure provide specific conditions, while the regional climate
offers a more general context for design. We incorporate aspects of passive solar and thermal mass into all of our work as
a mechanism of reducing energy consumption.
ECOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE is design that emphasizes natural materials and the use of renewable resources that come
from the earth in such a way that they can be returned to the earth without causing harm.
Many of our buildings appear very traditional (or normative) in style but often have not only a hyper-insulated or hybrid
building skin (rammed earth with insulation for example) but also domestic hot water solar systems as the first steps
toward energy independence.
Surveys by the City of Seattle and the Canadian government show that GREEN BUILDING has a higher first cost of only
2% to 8% more than conventional structures. Significant life cycle savings in both energy consumption and maintenance
benefits reward these choices throughout the life of the project.
We begin our design solutions with the goal of "creating a place" which appropriately connects the project to its location
and context. Our projects unify the solution through contextual sensitivity to place, a spatial creation which reflects the
spirit of the Architecture, and a solution rooted in the site and ecology of the place in balance with appropriate forms.
Architecture is part of thought or rather an extension of thought incorporated into the physical environment through
human effort. We seek to make this a healthy environment for the building users and also harmonious with the
environment.
Sven Erik Alstrom AIA was raised in Kansas City and graduated from the University of Kansas in 1975. Mr. Alstrom is
certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and is a licensed architect in California,
Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and New Mexico. After moving to Denver in 1981 to work on the Tabor Center project with
Urban Design Group, Mr. Alstrom relocated to Aspen in 1988 and founded Alstrom Group P.C. in 1992. In September 1999
our business name was changed to ECOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE to renew our emphasis on environmentally based design
solutions.
In 2002 a new office was established in Lawrence, Kansas near the University of Kansas. Mr. Alstrom is restoring a 1960
modernist house (see photo at contact us). Long term plans for this high thermal mass building include a partial GREEN
ROOF and a second floor office with views of the University of Kansas.
ECOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE offers comprehensive architectural, interior design, and planning services (site adaptation).
Our combined focus of technical expertise, aesthetic sensibility, and attention to detail results in the successful realization
of each project. We provide the expertise necessary to realize these projects on time and within budget. Our flexible
attitude and extensive experience enable us to communicate effectively about the design and technical aspects of
construction with our clients, contractors, consultants, and other participants in the building process.
The firm is a member of the Heartland Renewable Energy Society www.heartland-res.org and the New Mexico Solar Energy
Association.
Mr. Alstrom is a member of the City of Lawrence Historic Resources Commission and a member of the Lawrence
Preservation Alliance. The firm is a member of The American Institute of Architects and the Kansas City Chapter of the AIA

http://www.ecologicalarch.com/designapproach.php