Videos

design |e² (the economies of being environmentally conscious)

180 minutes (six parts)

Produced for PBS in 2006 by Kontentreal

design | e² (the economies of being environmentally conscious) is an original six-part series that explores the vitality of the environment through eco-friendly architecture.

Narrated by Brad Pitt and masterfully shot in high-definition, the series introduces us to the inventive leaders and technologies driving sustainable practices worldwide in the design of buildings where we live, work, and play.

A. The first episode, "The Green Apple," demonstrates how the ubiquitous skyscraper can surprisingly be a model of environmental responsibility. New York City is leading the charge to green its industrial skyline. It combats the urban myth of the bustling city as a "concrete jungle." Episode one explores some of Manhattan's most prominent technologically advanced structures, illustrating how the skyscraper can surprisingly be a model of environmental responsibility.

B. In the second episode, Architect and activist Sergio Palleroni provides design solutions to humanitarian crisis regions. He provides architecture students with hands-on field experience building housing for the poor while teaching residents to be resourceful in cutting costs and using local materials.

C. "The Green Machine", episode three, follows Mayor Richard M. Daley as he strives to make Chicago "the greenest city in America," which includes over two million square feet of green roofs, including city hall.

D. The fourth episode takes the notion of the three r's (reduce, reuse, recycle) to grand proportions by turning Boston's "big dig" waste into spectacular residential design.

E. Episode five, "China: From Red To Green?" depicts a country at its tipping point and finds a sustainable solution in Steven Holl's Beijing project, which will have the largest residential geothermal heating/cooling and greywater recycling system in the world upon completion.

F. The final episode, "Deeper Shades Of Green," presents some of the most remarkable visionaries who are changing the face of architecture and environmentalism: Ken Yeang, Werner Sobek and William McDonough. These architects are challenging society and environmental design philosophically, psychologically, technically, and aesthetically; changing the face of not only architecture but of environmentalism.