During the last 2 years of global stress, death and self-isolation caused by the Covid pandemic, everyone seemed to be searching for serenity and calm. They could use the time to finish reading or knitting. They might also take up other new hobbies or enjoy TikTok.
While all this was happening, the advancement of new technologies did not stop.
As a reflection, before the year 2020 there was a lot of talk about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how even robots would take over our jobs. There was supposed to be a major disruption in the workplace and autonomous vehicles were going to be commonplace in our future society.
Fast forward now. The world is slowly looking back at electric vehicles and building more charging infrastructure. The reason is simple. If people find it difficult to charge their EVs, sales won’t skyrocket and prices will be exorbitantly high, which means fewer purchases.
In this article, I would like to take a different perspective. I hope to merge the concept of charging stations with environmental sustainability.
As more countries are trying to promote the use of electric vehicles due to the perceived benefits to the environment, as a designer, I would like to strongly propose a study of how the design of electric charging stations can be seen as the new places of meeting in the next 10 years. I didn’t say this on a whim.
The essence of my suggestion is to build the charging stations in a circular shape and create a space where motorists can mingle. The designer can then put different vending machines and outdoor plants to give more serenity and calm to the area.
This circular design can also incorporate a convenience store or deli, which can be useful if built within a large condominium project.
This is like a wonderful and secret oasis that provides effects similar to those of a “forest bath” that helps to nourish the soul and heal the earth.
I feel that thoughtful and sustainable architecture can help spread mental wellbeing while being kind to the environment at the same time. We must always find new ways to “soften” the effects of new technology because we need not feel that the pursuit of environmental sustainability and technological advancement should not be seen as binary options. Both can coexist together as a middle ground.
Of course, the dream is to further harness the power of solar energy to charge electric vehicles, but that may take a little longer.
I feel that sustainable architecture should be a way of life and never just an afterthought.