We obsess over carbon numbers: 10 kg CO₂e/m² saved here, 25 kg there. But what if the cleanest building isn’t the one with the lowest emissions, but the one that doesn’t demand new materials at all? In the rush to decarbonize, we often treat circularity as a bonus, an extra box to tick after we’ve […]
Why Circularity Is the Real Zero Carbon Read More »
Wait — did that emission even count? When you run a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the results often arrive with a satisfying number in kilograms or tons of CO₂ emitted. But here’s the catch: that number might be misleading. Not all CO₂ emissions are the same, and treating them as interchangeable can lead to misleading
LCA Series: Not All Carbon Is The Same Read More »
The rise of artificial intelligence in architecture is being a fascinating journey, filled with promise but also with pressing questions about sustainability. AI has the potential to reshape how we design, model, and plan our built environments. Yet, there’s still an unsettling issue to be resolved: the immense energy demand of AI systems. Can we
Can AI and Sustainable Construction Truly Coexist? Read More »
Climate change is a catalyst for profound economic and social shifts, intensifying existing challenges such as political instability, income inequality, and infrastructure strains. While it’s challenging to attribute any single event solely to climate change, it is clear that rising global temperatures and environmental shifts aggravate vulnerabilities in societies already facing issues like inadequate infrastructure,
Tackling Climate Change One Building At A Time Read More »
Modern urban planning is often faced with the dilemma between facilitating car traffic or nurturing pedestrian-friendly environments. Today’s cities confront a crucial decision: either succumb to the erosion of cities caused by automobiles or embrace the reduction of cars to enhance urban life. Both concepts have significant implications for how cities develop and function. Erosion
City Decay or Car Decline Read More »
Constructing and using buildings significantly impacts the environment and human health. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an evolving science that helps us understand and quantify these impacts throughout a building’s lifecycle. This article explores the fundamentals of LCA, explaining its stages, the types of environmental impacts it assesses, and its application in the building industry.
LCA Series: The Fundamentals Read More »
In recent years, there’s been a significant push towards creating built environments that respect and integrate with the natural world. Two prominent approaches within this movement are Biophilic Design and Green Design. While they both share a commitment to nature, they differ in their core focuses and approaches. Green Design, also known as eco-design, prioritizes
Biophilic vs Green – What’s Different? Read More »
We often see neighborhood parks as gifts to city residents, offering a breath of fresh air in the urban jungle. But let’s flip that perspective for a moment. What if it’s the parks that need us to bring them to life? This view aligns more with reality because parks thrive or fail based on how
4 Must-Haves for Great City Parks Read More »
In the vibrant discourse around sustainable building practices, a common misconception that often emerges is the presumed high cost associated with green construction. The narrative frequently suggests that implementing sustainable solutions and striving for environmental certifications inherently leads to increased project costs. However, this perspective fails to consider the complexity and subtle reality of sustainable
Breaking the Bank or Breaking Myths? The Real Cost of Going Green Read More »
