Sustainable Architecture Is More Needed Than Ever-Here's What It Actually Means

"According to the UN, the "buildings and construction sector is by far the largest emitter of greenhouse gases." Sustainable architecture, in essence, tries to change that-and is more needed than ever. As climate change intensifies, it challenges architects and designers to consider the impact of their work in every step of the building process, from raw materials to site impact to future maintenance, decades down the line."

"Thus, distilling sustainable architecture down to one pillar or practice is practically impossible. "It's not only a matter of energy performance or material efficiency," says Eran Chen, founder of ODA. "It begins with extending the life of existing structures, conserving embodied carbon, and creating buildings that remain useful, adaptable, and meaningful over time.""

"Generally, building sustainably means building with a carbon footprint in mind, and engineering creative solutions to keep that footprint small. "Materials are chosen for their origins and their long-term impact, buildings are oriented to natural light and views, and the footprint is guided by how to tread as lightly as possible," adds Lucia Bartholomew, cofounder of Electric Bowery."

The buildings and construction sector is a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions, creating urgent need for sustainable architecture. Sustainable architecture emphasizes how buildings perform over their full life cycle, from material sourcing to daily use, maintenance, and eventual reuse. Key strategies include extending the life of existing structures, conserving embodied carbon, choosing materials for origin and long-term impact, orienting to natural light and views, and minimizing operational and embodied carbon footprints. Meaningful sustainability requires concrete design and engineering choices rather than a label, and demands solutions that keep impact low across decades.

Read at Architectural Digest