2.0 Where do we stand in Architecture?

I have been looking at various architectural websites and there seems to be a common theme going on. We are at a state where design is being looked at in terms of functionality and how this can develop society in different ways.

For example, BDG Architects in the Netherlands were given the task of creating an 'internal organisation' that also includes the shortest routes to each part of a firestation. There was careful planning such as materials used as the municipality decided on a 'transparent look' for the new firestation. As a result the efficiency of the entire workforce improved with the new design (an old building once stood before). So Functionality is a contemporary issue just now, design itself is important but isn't the only key thing to be considered with the planning process.

Firestation in WEERT (NL) http://www.a10.eu/news/headlines/fire_station_weert.html

Main Lobby area. http://www.a10.eu/news/headlines/fire_station_weert.html

Toilet area. http://www.a10.eu/news/headlines/fire_station_weert.html

Even though materials were considered in this project, architecture in the bigpicture, shows growing debates of what materials can be used as some are getting harder to obtain with the lowering of  some of the natural resources.