The core question/issue/vision that drives my work is making the shift from a design approach that follows the Rational/Mental model to one that follows the Integral model. It's the shift from "grid" thinking to "fractal" thinking. My new book, Design For Life out this summer discusses the major transformative shifts in human consciousness/culture (Magic. Mythic. Mental. And the emergent Integral. ) (See Jean Gebser. The ever Present Origin, Ken Wilber, various books, Spiral Dynamics, Sally Goerner's books, The Integral Institute).

Current Green and sustainable design practices are for the most part still firmly locked into the Mental model. Even when we work collaboratively, it's inter-disciplinary rather than meta-disciplinary. In the Integral model, we would be able to access our magical and mental selves implying a deeper gut connection to nature's subtle and sensuous implications (see The Spell of the Sensuous). Basically, a lot of architecture isn't fun. How do we make it more fun while exploring solutions more deeply. Oh yes, and then the nagging question: dealing with climate change and the end of the oil age. We should be designing looking ahead 50-100 years....I don't see that happening. (I'll bring some simple graphics that show the difference between standard, green, and integral design.)