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Architecture and nature: domination or cooperation? The role of technology in shaping sustainable office building architecture
https://doi.org/10.31749/2451-0858-SaS-2026-702
Abstract
In office buildings, technology is often used as a tool for ensuring comfort by isolating interiors from the influences of nature and creating an artificial indoor environment. The relationship with nature is confrontational in character. The aim of this article is to present an alternative approach to the development of office architecture – one in which technology does not serve to subjugate nature, but rather supports effective cooperation between architecture and nature. This study proceeds from a review of the literature and selected examples of office buildings exhibiting such forms of cooperation, completed in Europe in the second and third decades of the 21st century.
The first part of the article presents a brief outline of the historical development of office buildings, explaining the origins of the iconic office tower as a closed system, i.e. a sealed form with glass curtain walls and an artificial indoor climate created by mechanical devices. Attention is drawn to the image-related role of advanced technology, which expresses the prestige and progressiveness of organizations. The following section presents critical attitudes towards the idea of the closed system as well as alternative movements. Four case studies of office buildings exhibiting bioclimatic and low-tech architectural features are analyzed and presented. The synthesis of the results is presented as a comparison of solutions based on cooperation with nature (passive) and technologically advanced solutions.
On the basis of these examples, it can be concluded that the role of technology is being redefined. The concept of technical minimalism is emerging. Advanced technology is present but discreet, supporting solutions based on natural phenomena through computer analyses and simulations at the design stage, as well as monitoring and assisting systems based on these phenomena through intelligent, integrated control during the operational phase. Renewable energy installations are also used. However, the use of low-tech solutions plays an image-building role, emphasizing the pro-environmental stance of building owners and tenants.
Considering the scale of the projects presented and the involvement of leading European architectural practices in their design, it may be concluded that they represent not a niche trend, but a significant development in the evolution of contemporary office buildings.
Keywords:
bioclimatic architecture , low-tech , natural building materialsDownload files
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Vol. 26 (2026)
Published: 2026-01-01
10.31749/2451-0858-SaS
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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