Sergio Palleroni

Community Builder

Basics
Bachelor's of Architecture, University of Oregon; Master's in Architectural Science, MIT Associate Professor, School of Architecture, University of Texas at Austin; Research Fellow, Center for Sustainable Development, University of Texas; Director, BASIC Initiative

Awards (partial list)

National Design Awards, Special Jury Commendation (2005);
NCARB National Education Award, Integration in Practice (2003);
Sterling S. Munro Prize, University of Washington (2003);
US National Innovation/Collaborative Community Development Award (2000);
AIA/ACSA National Education Award (1997);
National Design Awards from Mexico, Colombia, India, Taiwan, Nicaragua, Spain

Publications

Teaching Sustainability in Asia by Sergio Palleroni and W. Chen (due fall 2006);
Studio-at-Large; Architecture in Service of Global Communities by Sergio Palleroni and Christina Merkelbach (2004);
La Obra de Carlos Mijares: Tiempo y Otras Construcciones by Sergio Palleroni and R. SantaMaria (1989, 1991, 2000);
"The Valley of the Yaqui Project: Building the Capacity of Yaqui Women to Help Themselves" and "Studio-at-Large: Lessons from the Field," two chapters in Expanding Architecture: Good Deeds, Good Design Volume II edited by Bryan Bell (due winter 2007);
"The Studios of the BASIC Initiative: Re-Introducing Architecture Into a Real-World Setting," in Design and Pedagogy; Models of Architectural Education edited by Mao-lin Chiu (due winter 2007)

Q&A

What started you on the path toward sustainability?

Many things, but chief among them was growing up in Western Argentina when the natural environment and pre-European cultures were still dominant. I have seen much of the world since then, but remember how those cultures had a relationship with and understanding of the natural world they inhabited. My work since-whether in India, Mexico, Asia, or the U.S.-has most often taken place among native but now displaced cultures.

Who inspired you, or nurtured your talent?

Early on, the work of architects such as Eladio Dieste in Uruguay, Carlos Mijares in Mexico, and Laurie Baker in India inspired me-their understanding of local materials and cultural traditions, and the way their work reflected and expressed it. A keen understanding of local ecological and cultural phenomena is at the heart of a viable vision of sustainable design. Eventually I had the opportunity to meet all three of these architects, which only increased my appreciation for their work and their vision of a local architecture that is informed by global realities. With Carlos Mijares, I had the further good fortune to become a close friend and collaborator despite the difference in our ages.

Equally important have been my academic associations: Stanford Anderson at MIT and Philip Dole at Oregon influenced my understanding of architecture's broader goals and aspirations.

But day to day, collaboration with colleagues in the trenches is what most challenges and redefines an inclusive practice in sustainability. This includes Bryan Bell, Jim Adamson, Steven Goldsmith, Cameron Sinclairand Kate Stohr, David Riley, Ana Rubbo, Jason Mangus, Steve Badanes, Peter Spruance, Jay Snaders, Nathaniel Corum, Jen-hui Tsai and many others, as well as the many communities we serve and former students now in the field.

What gives you hope in your industry?

The growing sense that sustainability and addressing the needs of the underserved are no longer considered mutually exclusive and incompatible. This growing sense of inclusiveness comes from the recognition that if we are going to make it ecologically as a planet, we need to address the needs of our poorer citizens.

In addition to developing and managing a number of projects, we also raise funds for implementing design schemes. The NGO world seldom takes risks and introducing new ideas can take decades. We embrace innovation and provide the opportunity to take it from the drawing board to the field. We also respond to natural disasters, in the context of long-term reconstruction. By working directly with an affected community and on-the-ground local charitable organizations, we help introduce new and leapfrog technologies for local buildings. We can hire those affected and begin micro-economies that allow for long term renewal, not just rebuilding.

What worries you most in this area?

The rapid rate of urbanization and industrialization. We are undergoing the most rapid demographic shift in human history, from a tradition of living in and from the land to being removed from the understanding, knowledge and appreciation that comes from that close relationship. Cities are not necessarily bad, but they do create a disconnect with the natural world. How as professionals can we promote an understanding of the land in the communities we serve?

What advice do you give to young people who want to make a difference in the world?

Don't assume that all the useful knowledge will come from other experts (architects, engineers, etc.) with whom you would normally collaborate. Knowledge and understanding will come from many-sometimes unexpected -sources, including the site and its physical and cultural context. We need to learn to listen, trust, and understand what comes from the process of creating an appropriate work of architecture.

What is the role of technology in sustainable design?

At its root, technology is about a culture's understanding and use of its available tools and crafts. Technology is therefore a culturally placed and localized construct. What works in one place may not work in another, or more importantly, may not make sense to another community and culture. At the same time, many new materials and systems of building are emerging that can be adapted to a different culture and environment, and they can have a great impact on the possibilities and way of life of its people. The role of the sustainable designer is to understand and negotiate local conditions, to find a design and technology that is appropriate to the environment and culture it is intended to support.