PBS webcasts some fantastic documentaries, which are unfortunately not embedabble. The latest one I came across is design:e2 (already in its 3rd season!)
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, 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.
In six parts the first series chronicled the changes that underway right now in cities worldwide, changes instigated by planners who want to improve quality of life through environmental design.
You can watch segments of the series online here: http://www.design-e2.com/
Expand for episode descriptions:
Part 1 - The Green Apple
The first episode begins in New York, a city that is leading the charge
to green its industrial skyline with several groundbreaking projects.
New York combats the urban myth of the bustling city as a 'concrete
jungle'. The 'Green Apple' explores some of Manhattan's most prominent
and technologically advanced structures like One Bryant Park and The
Solaire, as well as the innovative minds behind them. The episode
illustrates how the ubiquitous skyscraper can surprisingly be a model
of environmental responsibility.
Part 2 - Green for All
'Green for All' follows architect and activist Sergio Palleroni as he
continues his mission to provide architectural and design solutions to
regions in social and humanitarian crisis. Palleroni already has four
global initiatives underway aimed at providing architecture students
with hands-on field experience building housing for the poor. This
episode finds him in East Austin, Texas and in Mexico, where he and his
student team are helping threatened communities build thousands of
homes while teaching residents to be resourceful in cutting costs and
using local materials.
Part 3 - The Green Machine
In 'The Green Machine', Mayor Richard Daley takes viewers on a tour
through Chicago, and showcases his mission to make it 'the greenest
city in America'. Chicago already demonstrates a remarkable commitment
to green design and construction, with over 40 buildings registered for
LEED certification, an integrated solar-powered public transportation
system with a biker commuter station and over two million square feet
of green roofs, including City Hall.
Part 4 - Gray to Green
'Gray to Green' takes the notion of the three R's (reduce, reuse,
recycle) to grand proportions by looking at Boston's 'Big Dig' and the
massive amount of waste created by the $15 billion public works
project. Paul Pedini, a civil engineer on the project, had the idea to
build his own home from the Big Dig waste. The success of this project
sparked plans to create an office complex in Massachusetts from the
same recycled material. These innovative projects serve as prototypes
to demonstrate to city officials that there is value in recycling on
such a grand level.
Part 5 - China: From Red to Green?
The series moves to China, whose soaring population and rapid
industrialization have created a boom in urbanization that is
unprecedented in human history. To try to tackle this global issue,
'China: From Red to Green?' explores green design solutions in both
theory and practice, including Steve Holl's Linked Hybrid project,
which will have the largest residential geothermal heating/cooling and
grey-water recycling system in the world upon completion. William
McDonough shares his innovative plans to make China an entirely
sustainable country and the ways architecture can be both profitable
and environmentally intelligent.
Part 6 - Deeper Shades of Green
Design:e2 ends with a look to the future. 'Deeper shades of Green'
focuses on remarkable thinkers and designers of our time: Ken Yeang,
Werner Sobek and William McDonough. Nothing short of geniuses, these
architects are challenging society and environmental design
philosophically, psychologically, technically, aesthetically,
politically, and culturally. Each is radically changing the face of not
only architecture, but of environmentalism.