Backcasting—a scenario approach in urban climate adaptation planning | npj Urban Sustainability

A group of architects and former architecture professors express concern over the proliferation of black and middle gray buildings in San Luis Obispo (SLO), arguing that such color choices are inappropriate for the city's built environment. They highlight that fashion trends, which are inherently short-lived, should not dictate permanent architectural features. The authors suggest that architects in SLO should adhere to the Community Design Guidelines and explore more creative and subtle variations within the existing light color palette prevalent in the downtown area. The authors contend that the increasing use of dark colors in building exteriors has several negative implications, particularly in the context of climate change. Dark surfaces absorb and retain heat, necessitating increased use of cooling systems, which in turn elevates the carbon footprint. Conversely, the reduced reflective light from dark buildings demands more artificial exterior and interior lighting, further contributing to energy consumption and environmental impact. They also point out that darker street spaces can lead to security concerns and discourage nocturnal public use, thereby impacting urban vitality. Beyond environmental and safety considerations, the article delves into the psychological and practical drawbacks of dark architectural aesthetics. It posits that dimly lit spaces and dark colors can contribute to psychological depression, citing studies from the International Color Association (AIC) indicating that black typically connotes fear and anger in Western cultures, while white is associated with happiness and purity. Additionally, dimly lit areas are linked to an increased risk of accidents. The authors note that black and middle gray buildings exacerbate the reduction of natural light during winter months, a period already characterized by fewer daylight hours. Another significant concern raised is the creation of 'heat islands' by dark pigmentation. These heat islands make streets unpleasantly hot during summer, an issue compounded by the precipitous rise in summer temperatures due to climate change. The article presents several visual examples of black and middle gray buildings in San Luis Obispo's Railroad Square and Broad Street neighborhoods, contrasting them with images of soot-covered buildings in central England and Europe, to illustrate their point. The authors implicitly advocate for a more thoughtful and context-sensitive approach to architectural design, one that prioritizes long-term sustainability, community well-being, and aesthetic harmony over transient stylistic fads. #ArchitecturalDesign #UrbanPlanning #SanLuisObispo #ClimateChange #SustainableArchitecture #CommunityDesign #ColorPsychology #UrbanHeatIsland #ArchitecturalFads

The article highlights the work of CO Adaptive Architecture, a Brooklyn-based firm founded by Ruth Mandl and Bobby Johnston, which specializes in rejuvenating historical structures through low-carbon design and adaptive reuse. The firm, established in 2011, focuses on the premise that the most sustainable building is an existing one, emphasizing the importance of sequestering embodied carbon and reducing carbon-intensive manufacturing by re-imagining older buildings rather than constructing new ones. This approach aligns with Passive House design principles, integrating low-energy features and upcycled materials. CO Adaptive is a ten-person firm, with seven dedicated to architectural design and three to construction through CO Adaptive Building LLC. Their new office in the Brooklyn Navy Yard serves as a testament to their ethos, emphasizing the city’s existing architectural fabric and repurposing discarded elements. Mandl's background in interior design, which involved researching and adaptively reusing old London buildings, heavily influenced this philosophy. The firm actively avoids demolition in its projects, aiming to integrate each renovation within a larger circular material economy. They collaborate with Big Reuse, a local nonprofit salvager, to identify and appraise items like wood casings, radiators, and plumbing fixtures for resale or donation, offering homeowners potential tax rebates. Non-appraised materials are sent to Cooper Recycling. The firm's methodology involves minimal intervention in existing layouts and materials. An exemplary project is the Bed-Stuy Passive House (2017), Mandl and Johnston's own home, originally built in 1889. This renovation involved the careful deconstruction, refinishing, and reinstallation of Victorian-era woodwork and casework. The house was upgraded to Passive House standards through structural reinforcement, the application of an airtight vapor barrier and insulation, and the installation of triple-glazed windows. Furthermore, the natural gas lines were replaced with an all-electric system powered by a rooftop solar array, making it highly energy-efficient. Another ongoing residential project, the Tiny Queens Passive House, built in 1945, also demonstrates their commitment to upcycling and energy efficiency. Materials such as wood and bathroom tiles are being repurposed, with some even slated for use in CO Adaptive’s new studio. The exterior features a checkerboard infill brick pattern to visually distinguish new additions from original brickwork. Inside, durable, low-carbon materials like linoleum, upcycled terrazzo, reclaimed wood, and porcelain tile are being used. A solar canopy by Brooklyn SolarWorks will make the home net-positive, generating more energy than it consumes. The firm has also scaled its methods for commercial projects, as seen in the Timber Adaptive Reuse Theater (Mercury Store), a nearly 13,000-square-foot start-up space for theater companies in Brooklyn’s Gowanus neighborhood. This project transformed a former metal foundry by removing internal subdivisions to reveal skylights and double A-frame roof trusses, creating lofty rehearsal spaces. Existing timber structures and masonry walls were retained and refurbished, and salvaged lumber was used for new elements like guardrail posts. The project incorporated a cross-laminated timber floor plate and a glulam post-and-beam system, marking it as New York’s first commercial adaptive reuse project to use cross-laminated timber in this manner. Exterior insulation behind a new aluminum façade reduced the need for internal air barriers. CO Adaptive’s new workspace in the Brooklyn Navy Yard serves as an experimental hub for their design-build branch. They are developing a modular wall panel system, possibly from reclaimed lumber and wood-fiber board, to provide a scalable, high-efficiency insulation solution for existing buildings, especially historic landmarks where exterior insulation is not feasible. This initiative aims to make Passive House design more accessible beyond high-income families. #COAdaptiveArchitecture #LowCarbonDesign #AdaptiveReuse #SustainableArchitecture #PassiveHouse #BrooklynDesign #EmbodiedCarbon #CircularEconomy #GreenBuilding #HistoricPreservation

The rapid increase in global population, primarily concentrated in urban areas, has led to environmental imbalances, as built environments historically developed without sufficient integration into natural ecosystems. This lack of resilience hinders adaptation to climate change challenges. The article explores how bio-inspired strategies are being emulated in hot and humid climates to create efficient built environments, aiming to restore natural resources and integrate nature into urban settings. The research conducts a systematic review, identifying key strategies and patterns from nature that are mimicked in built environments. A central finding is the limited implementation of these bio-inspired solutions in hot and humid regions, despite their potential. The most prevalent bio-inspired approaches focus on emulating natural functions, followed by those imitating natural forms, with biomimicry and biomimetics being the most commonly utilized. These strategies contribute to the development of efficient and resilient cities. Cities, as primary human habitats, heavily rely on environmental resources. Their historical development has often resulted in structures that are foreign to ecosystems, preventing adaptation to climate change and negatively impacting human well-being, biodiversity, and resource recovery. Nature-based Solutions (NbS), first introduced by the World Bank in 2008 and formalized by the European Commission in 2015, are actions inspired by or copied from nature, aiming to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified resources. While NbS extend beyond biodiversity restoration to social and economic benefits, debate exists on what interventions qualify. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Standard, published in 2020, outlines eight criteria for classifying solutions as NbS, focusing on societal development, human well-being, ecosystem resilience, and adaptive management. Bio-inspired design approaches, including bionics, biomimetics, and biomimicry, have long influenced architecture and urban planning. Bionics, originating in 1958, focuses on mechanical abilities of nature but may not always lead to sustainable solutions. Biomimetics, coined in 1969, involves transferring natural characteristics and systems to artificial environments, imitating both application and form. Biomimicry, defined in 1997, goes further by incorporating an ecological standard to measure environmental interaction, thus emphasizing sustainability. Biomimicry design processes are bidirectional: problem-oriented (identifying a problem and seeking natural solutions) and solution-oriented (identifying useful natural principles for design). Bio-mimetic design draws inspiration at organism, behavior, and ecosystem levels, with sub-levels including form, material, construction, process, and function. Biophilia, though not strictly bio-inspired, shares a paradigm shift in connecting with nature, focusing on creating habitats for humans within modern built environments, governed by principles of environmental features, natural forms, patterns, light, space, and human-nature relationships. Bio-inspired solutions are a subset of nature-inspired solutions, which encompass creative approaches to designing materials, structures, and systems based on biological processes. This contrasts with Nature-Based Solutions, which rely on operational ecosystems. The article clarifies the hierarchy of these concepts: "Nature-Inspired" branches into "Nature-Based" and "Bio-Inspired," with the latter further dividing into bionics, biomimetics, and biomimicry. This framework underpins biologically-inspired design, fostering creativity and innovation. Nature's balanced operation, optimizing resource and energy use, serves as a model for bio-inspired designs, which must consider material quality, quantity, and production processes. The construction industry, often responsible for environmental disconnection, can benefit from identifying bio-inspired strategies to create resilient environments. The article investigates the influence and impact of these solutions in the built environment, particularly in hot and humid climates, and analyzes case studies to provide a current overview of their application. The methodology involved a systematic review of open-access scientific documents using keyword combinations related to nature-based inspiration, biomimicry, and built environments in hot and humid climates. The search yielded 169 documents, but only 52 were used, with a mere six real case studies identified. Keyword analysis revealed a shift in research focus from energy efficiency to urban ecosystems, green infrastructure, and circular economy, with sustainability being a central theme. "Biomimicry" and "bio-inspired design" have gained prominence in relation to architecture and building design for sustainability in tropical climates. The article is structured to discuss urban challenges, nature's role in design, and analyze real-world case studies in hot and humid environments, assessing them against biomimicry and NbS criteria. Cities face challenges like high energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced green spaces, exacerbated in humid and warm regions by vulnerabilities to climate change. Sustainable development in these areas requires respectful actions towards the environment, efficient resource use, and a circular economy. Nature has consistently inspired architecture, from biomorphic forms to contemporary designs. The focus has shifted to interdisciplinary designs that minimize resource use and carbon footprints, reflecting a move towards sustainable architecture. Bio-inspired designs aim to restore environmental patterns, creating efficient and resilient cities with low carbon production. China's ecological cities, focusing on energy, food, transport, waste, and water, exemplify this approach. Biomimicry, with its emphasis on form, function, geometry, material, movement, pattern, proportion, sustainability, and technology, has been widely applied in modern designs. Perceiving nature as a mentor, through inspiration, emulation, and imitation, is crucial for reducing environmental degradation in the construction industry. Bio-inspired designs offer numerous solutions for sustainability, particularly in the construction industry, leveraging technological advancements to create natural systems for lighting, ventilation, and water management. Biomimetics and biomimicry, as evolved frameworks, involve interdisciplinary collaboration between architects, biologists, and other fields. Frameworks like Biomimicry 3.8 and the SAPPhIR model guide the application of natural analogies to design problems. In architecture, designs often draw from animal and plant forms and behaviors, especially for building envelopes, which are critical for energy regulation. Examples include adaptive facades inspired by chameleons to control internal temperatures, significantly reducing ecological footprints. New materials development in construction is increasingly bio-inspired, categorizing into four groups: natural material utilization, structural property incorporation, natural organism function emulation, and biological process replication. This includes bioplastics and biocomposites for sustainable construction. Materials mimicking natural microstructures, like clay bricks inspired by termite mounds, enhance strength, durability, and thermal performance. Smart materials, inspired by organism functions, allow for temperature and movement control, self-maintenance, and vibration resistance. Self-healing materials, inspired by human skin and tissues, and nanotechnology are also emerging as key areas for sustainable construction. In urban contexts, cities are investing in urban ecosystems and nature-based solutions to combat climate change. Concepts like urban ecosystem services and green-blue infrastructure are implemented to mitigate problems caused by anthropogenic activities. However, NbS must be context-sensitive. Urban design, as a complex system, requires system-level bio-inspired solutions, integrating built environments with rating schemes, building codes, and government policies. These approaches are gaining recognition in both public and private sectors. Biophilic design promotes human well-being by reconnecting nature with the built environment through direct and indirect experiences of nature, and space and place. The global network of biophilic cities, established in 2013, aims to integrate nature, flora, and fauna into urban environments, improving climatic conditions, microclimates, and interior comfort. Its application ranges from building to city scales, fostering a sense of place and promoting environmental action through diverse forms of nature. The analysis of real-world case studies in hot and humid climates reveals limited but impactful implementations. The Lavasa Hill Project in India, inspired by local organisms and monsoon ecosystems, addresses deforestation and soil erosion through water management and revegetation. The Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe uses a termite mound-inspired passive cooling system, significantly reducing energy consumption. The Sahara Forest Project in Qatar, Tunisia, and Jordan, drawing inspiration from the Namibian fog-basking beetle, focuses on saltwater-cooled greenhouses for food and water production in arid regions. The D3 office building in Dubai incorporates a chameleon-inspired adaptive facade for temperature control. Rain gardens in Colima, Mexico, address urban flooding and aquifer replenishment. The Esplanade Theatre in Singapore features sunshades inspired by durian fruit, combining aesthetic and functional elements. These cases highlight the prevalence of ecosystem-level imitation for sustainability, with organism-level strategies being less common. Regenerative solutions are limited, emphasizing the complexity and multi-stakeholder involvement required for comprehensive NbS implementation, which extends beyond technical solutions to economic, political, and social dimensions. #BioInspiredSolutions #BuiltEnvironment #HotHumidClimates #Biomimicry #NatureBasedSolutions #SustainableDesign #UrbanPlanning #ClimateChangeAdaptation #ArchitecturalDesign

This compilation showcases ten architectural projects by students from the City College of New York's Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture. The Spitzer School emphasizes social and sustainable concerns in design, aiming to provide a diverse student body with a top-tier education in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design. The featured projects address a range of contemporary urban challenges and design concepts. One project, "Growing Little Caribbean" by Ornella Bonhomme, Evelyn Krutoy, and Nicole Girdo, focuses on revitalizing a Brooklyn neighborhood, particularly the intersection of Church and Bedford Avenue and the Flatbush African Burial Ground. This urban design proposal includes accessible cultural spaces for youth, food vendors, art displays, and a community center, honoring ancestral histories while fostering new generations of creativity. "Thermodynamic City" by Carlos Rueda, Zhenhao Huang, and Sara Abousaid explores urban ecology and the mitigation of urban heat islands. This project integrates technological and ecological protocols to combat heat island effects, enhance biodiversity, and improve urban health. Strategies involve sun and wind analysis, creation of green spaces, and recycling excess heat for urban power. Tyler Hernton's "The Crux" is a design for a climbing gym in Harlem, Manhattan. The project emphasizes verticality, typical of climbing gyms, to create soaring interior spaces that extend beyond climbing to community engagement. Situated on 125th Street, it bridges a public housing project and a new laboratory building. Valeska Abarca and Lorraine Colbert's "In Heritage Heights: Urban Infilling Strategies for Dense Living" proposes mixed-use developments for New York Police Department parking lots and housing prototypes for Jackson Heights, NYC. These "mini towers" are designed for co-living and intergenerational arrangements, integrating into existing urban fabric while ensuring adequate ventilation, natural light, and vertical circulation. The urban proposal also includes a ground-floor marketplace to foster community. "Capturing the skyline: Re-Envisioning the Garment District" by Noor Muzahid, Jaydin Parker, and Taseen Rahman investigates the transformation of Manhattan's office real estate into residential communities with amenities. This project addresses the evolving needs of modern workers and urban demands, focusing on architectural reinvention, sustainable integration, and dynamic city rhythms. Kingsley Chong and Philip Lee's "Tree House 128" is a community project in Manhattanville, New York City, aiming to address generational challenges such as educational opportunities and financial constraints. It includes a public library, skill training facilities, and a daycare center. The design is inspired by the elements of a forest, specifically the Japanese concept of Komorebi (scattered light filtering through trees), influencing light well placement and facade design. "Blurred Edges" by Christopher Martinovic and George McCracken proposes to soften the boundary between land and sea in the Flushing Bay estuary by establishing a tidal marsh. The vision is for a new way of life where coastlines become dynamic coast zones, fusing soft estuarine landscapes with urban structures through strategic breakwater installation and tidal gate removal. The "Mach Spāß" project by a large group of students from the Bachelor of Architecture Advanced Studio involved designing and constructing an experiential learning space within an existing campus building. This space was intended for students from various programs to collaborate and participate in conversations, resulting in a design approved by the Dean of Humanities and Arts. Anthony Thayer and William Moffett's "Gem Cool House" is an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Portland, Maine, designed as a transitional home for a college student studying astronomy and geology, later converting to his parents' home. The open ground floor plan offers flexibility, with large skylights and clever openings balancing daylighting and thermal comfort. The material palette emphasizes low environmental impact and durability, using wood, earth, stone, cork, and plaster against matte stainless steel. Finally, "P.A.T.H.S" by Shiva Abbaszadeh, Leora Santoriello, and Nily Baratian is a building designed to provide holistic assistance in Hunts Point, Bronx. Based on demographic research, the project offers supportive programming for career, health, general guidance, and housing, catering to residents from birth to retirement and addressing identified community needs. #ArchitectureProjects #UrbanDesign #SustainableArchitecture #CommunityDevelopment #NewYorkCity #StudentWork #ArchitecturalEducation #MixedUseDevelopment #ClimateResilientCities

The article explores sustainable architecture, which focuses on creating structures with minimal negative environmental impact, fostering green buildings and environments for the present and future. Given the increasing challenges posed by climate change, adopting architecture that minimizes environmental impact is crucial. The discussion highlights ten notable examples of sustainable architecture from around the world, showcasing innovative approaches to environmental responsibility in construction. One prominent example is the Vertical Forest (Bosco Verticale) in Milan, Italy, designed by Stefano Boeri Architetti. Completed in 2014, these residential towers integrate thousands of plants, creating a microclimate that purifies the air by absorbing CO2. The towers house approximately 300 small trees, 5,000 shrubs, 480 medium to large trees, and 11,000 perennial plants, forming a vertically sustainable structure. This design strategy utilizes vegetation to replace traditional urban surfaces, promoting environmental sustainability and reducing urban expansion while providing a habitat for birds and insects. Another significant project is One Central Park in Chippendale, Australia, designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel and completed in 2014. This residential and retail complex features two towers with a vertical garden covering 50% of its façade. The greenery helps shade the exterior, reducing energy consumption for internal cooling. The project received the "Best Tall Building Worldwide" award in 2014 from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), emphasizing the visible integration of sustainable practices. The Beitou Public Library in Taiwan, designed by Bio-Architecture Formosana (BAF) and completed in 2006, is recognized as Taiwan's first green library. This two-story structure is designed for self-sustainability, aiming to reduce electricity and water consumption. It achieved a diamond rating in Taiwan’s EEWH certification system. The library incorporates solar panels for electricity generation and rainwater collection systems for water conservation, along with extensive windows to maximize natural light and reduce the need for artificial lighting. The Pixel Building in Australia, an office space designed by Studio 505 and completed in 2010, exemplifies carbon-neutral architecture. It is self-sustainable in water utilization through advanced treatment systems. Its façade includes fixed shading louvers, solar panel shades, and double-glazed windows, contributing to its high sustainability rating. The building integrates various environmental systems to achieve its carbon-neutral status. Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, developed by Grant Associates and Gardens by the Bay, completed in 2012, is a globally recognized sustainable project. This nature park spans 101 hectares and includes diverse flora, which helps manage CO2 levels in the city. Its iconic Supertrees generate solar electricity and collect rainwater, embodying Singapore’s "City in the Garden" vision. The Crystal in London, United Kingdom, designed by Wilkinson Eyre and completed in 2012, is a mixed-use building with high LEED and BREEAM sustainability ratings. This 6,300 sqm structure houses conference spaces, auditoriums, and exhibition areas. It integrates advanced green technologies, uses no fossil fuels, and relies solely on electrical energy. The building also implements rainwater harvesting for on-site water use, minimizing consumption and promoting environmental quality. The Cube in Berlin, Germany, an office building designed by 3XN and completed in 2020, is a smart structure known for its advanced sustainability and design. It allows ample natural lighting and solar shading, and its intelligent systems enable tenants to control indoor climate and energy usage. Operational data is stored in a “digital brain” server, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing maintenance costs, while encouraging user interaction through a dedicated app. The Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, designed by Santiago Calatrava and completed in 2015, explores the relationship between the natural environment and the city. The museum utilizes natural energy and light sources, including solar panels and a system that uses water from the bay to regulate internal temperatures and supply reflecting pools. Its design facilitates functional versatility, accommodating various activities from exhibitions to research. ACROS Fukuoka Prefectural International Hall in Fukuoka City, Japan, designed by Emilio Ambasz and completed in 1995, features an urban façade contrasting with vertical green gardens. This mixed-use commercial structure includes 15 vertical gardens, which help regulate internal temperatures and provide a habitat. The greenery contributes to the thermal environment of the urban area by reducing CO2 emissions and mitigating the heat island effect. Originally having 76 plant varieties, it now hosts 120 varieties, enhancing urban biodiversity. Lastly, the Parkroyal on Pickering in Singapore, designed by WOHA and completed in 2013, is a hotel renowned for its extensive integration of tropical plants. The building incorporates 15,000 square meters of greenery, more than double its land area, through plant-covered balconies and terraces. It features energy-saving elements, solar cells, rainwater harvesting, and sky gardens. The lush vegetation improves air quality by absorbing heat and providing shade and evaporative transpiration. #SustainableArchitecture #GreenBuildings #EnvironmentalDesign #UrbanSustainability #EcoFriendlyConstruction #ClimateChangeSolutions #ArchitecturalInnovation #EnergyEfficiency #BioclimaticDesign

Masdar City, located outside Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, is advancing with the detailed master plan for its Phase 2 development. This initiative aims to push the boundaries of urban design and community building by creating a living environment with a minimal carbon footprint while maintaining a high quality of life. The Boston-based firm CBT is leading the design for Phase 2, which recently earned the 2015 American Institute of Architects Middle East Design Award for its excellence in urban design and planning, particularly for its integration of residential, research, and development clusters within a cohesive urban structure. Masdar City Phase 2 seeks to establish a replicable and market-friendly model for sustainable urbanism. The design principles are based on comprehensive guidelines spanning four levels, ensuring that sustainability goals are met and the city's unique character is reflected across all scales. This approach provides a blueprint for other communities in harsh environments, such as the American Southwest, to adopt sustainable living practices. The plan emphasizes creating an authentic identity for Masdar City, blending innovation with local culture and environment. Features like sikkak (pedestrian pathways) and barahaat (community courtyards) are designed to offer unique cultural and pedestrian experiences, fostering a strong community identity. A notable landmark, Gateway Hill, is planned at the city's entrance, which will serve as an iconic symbol and an environmental education center, highlighting the city's connection to its natural surroundings. Sustainability is central to the Phase 2 master plan, with a strong focus on passive design strategies. These include a fine-grain urban fabric, environmental optimization, and hydro-zoning to create a cooler and more comfortable built environment, even in the desert climate. The plan aims to achieve the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s Four Pearl Community Rating under the Estidama sustainability program, which is comparable to LEED certification. Key sustainability targets include a 40% reduction in energy consumption compared to ASHRAE standards, recycling 70% of demolition and construction waste, and heating 75% of hot water using solar power. Innovative approaches to solar, water, and wind management are integrated into the design. Buildings are strategically positioned nine meters apart to maximize shade, potentially lowering temperatures by up to 15 degrees Celsius. Natural green elements with low reflectivity and extended roof canopies, overhangs, and balconies further enhance shading for pedestrian areas. Water management involves a hydro-zoning strategy that allocates water resources efficiently across diverse landscape typologies, including lush courtyards and desert-inspired parks. The selection of 70% native, drought-tolerant plant species contributes to a significantly reduced water demand, with an estimated consumption of only two liters per square meter daily. High-efficiency water features and a dew net collection system are also incorporated to enhance microclimates and conserve water. Additionally, 60% of operational wastewater will be diverted from landfills. Wind analysis played a crucial role in designing city blocks and linear parks to channel prevailing winds, creating comfortable microclimates throughout the city. Walkability is prioritized, with only 20% of land dedicated to automobiles and streets, compared to 30-35% in traditional cities, allowing for more space for diverse and attractive walking and biking environments. The iconic sikkak and shared streets connect to a robust multi-modal transit system, linking neighborhoods and cities. Masdar City also serves as a hub for innovation, integrating knowledge sharing and research in renewable energy and clean technology. It hosts various institutions and operations, including the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, GE’s Ecomagination Centre, and the International Renewable Energy Agency, among others. Phase 2 will further expand this innovation ecosystem with facilities such as the Masdar Solar Hub and an Eco-Villa Prototype, solidifying Masdar City's role as a leader in sustainable urban development. #MasdarCity #SustainableUrbanism #EcoFriendlyCity #PassiveDesign #CleanTechnology #UrbanPlanning #RenewableEnergy #SmartCity #EnvironmentalSustainability

Biophilic design is an approach that integrates natural elements into the built environment to address climate change impacts and promote human well-being and ecological balance. This design philosophy recognizes the inherent human connection to nature and leverages it to create sustainable spaces. It offers several strategies to enhance energy efficiency in buildings, such as optimizing natural lighting through strategic placement of windows, skylights, and lightwells, thereby reducing the need for artificial lighting. Additionally, incorporating natural ventilation systems and utilizing passive design techniques like shading devices and building orientation helps minimize reliance on mechanical cooling and heating, leading to lower energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. A significant aspect of biophilic design is its contribution to carbon sequestration. By integrating extensive green spaces, vertical gardens, and urban forests, it increases the capacity of urban areas to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Plants capture CO2 through photosynthesis and store it as biomass, effectively reducing its concentration and mitigating climate change. This not only offsets carbon emissions but also enhances the aesthetic and ecological value of urban environments. Furthermore, the use of sustainably sourced timber in construction materials can lock carbon within the built environment, aiding in long-term carbon storage. Biophilic design also provides sustainable alternatives for natural stormwater management, which is crucial given the increasing frequency and intensity of rainfall events due to climate change. Features such as rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable surfaces help capture, store, and filter rainwater, reducing the strain on traditional drainage systems. This approach prevents flooding, replenishes groundwater supplies, and promotes water resilience. By minimizing stormwater runoff and preventing water pollution, biophilic design supports ecosystem health and strengthens climate resilience. The approach is instrumental in mitigating the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon where urban areas experience elevated temperatures due to concrete and asphalt. By incorporating green spaces like parks, green roofs, and street trees, biophilic design creates natural cooling mechanisms. Vegetation provides shade, cools the air through evapotranspiration, and reduces surface temperatures, thereby ameliorating the heat island effect. The resulting cooler microclimates enhance comfort for urban dwellers and reduce energy demand for cooling, leading to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions. Finally, biophilic design contributes to biodiversity conservation in urban settings, which is essential for climate sustainability. By integrating native vegetation, creating habitat features, and preserving green spaces, it supports wildlife and enhances ecological balance. Urban biodiversity provides vital ecosystem services such as pollination, pest control, and air purification, all of which are crucial for climate resilience. Diverse ecosystems are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, ensuring the long-term sustainability of urban environments. By preserving and promoting biodiversity through biophilic design, a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature is fostered, moving towards a resilient and sustainable future where human needs are met while maintaining a deep connection with the natural world. #BiophilicDesign #ClimateSustainability #EnergyEfficiency #CarbonSequestration #StormwaterManagement #UrbanHeatIsland #BiodiversityConservation #SustainableArchitecture #UrbanPlanning

The 2024 World Green Infrastructure Congress (WGIC), held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland from September 3–4, served as a platform for advancing solutions in inclusive green infrastructure, sustainability, and urban resilience. Rebecca Mills, a leading sustainability strategist, compiled key takeaways from this global event, highlighting overarching themes and specific project insights. The congress focused on five primary themes: regeneration and biodiversity, technology and innovation, climate resilience, community engagement and equity, and health and wellbeing. Discussions on regeneration and biodiversity explored nature-based solutions like green roofs and vertical greenery to enhance urban biodiversity, promoting ecological health and resilience through integrated urban planning. Technological advancements were also a significant focus, with presentations on AI for urban forest monitoring, digital tools for mitigating urban heat islands, and innovative methods for sustainable water treatment. Climate resilience strategies included flood mitigation, sustainable urban design, and leveraging green infrastructure for climate adaptation. The importance of community engagement was underscored, emphasizing equitable access to green spaces and the socio-economic benefits of urban greening initiatives. Finally, the congress addressed the connection between green infrastructure and public health, demonstrating how nature-based solutions can improve mental and physical well-being for urban residents. The Awards Dinner at The Dome, Auckland Museum, featured hospitality from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, fostering relationships between indigenous communities and global green infrastructure leaders. Several project spotlights and insights were shared, focusing on nature-inclusive cities. MVRDV, a Dutch architecture firm, presented their work on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, emphasizing innovative green roofs, urban farms, climate adaptation strategies, and accessible public green spaces. Case studies included "Op het dak" in Rotterdam, a bistro pop-up on a rooftop garden, and "RoofScape" by MVRDV NEXT, which visualizes Rotterdam’s rooftop potential for various programs. "De Trap" in Rotterdam, an MVRDV installation, showcased how civic pride and public engagement can be fostered by activating derelict urban spaces with green infrastructure. "The Standard green wall" in Brisbane, designed by Woods Bagot and Fytogreen, was highlighted as Australia’s largest fire-compliant green wall, featuring diverse plant species and winning a World Green Infrastructure Award. The congress also delved into nature-based solutions through performance design and monitoring. Dr. Margaret Stanley from the University of Auckland presented on optimizing greening efforts by designing urban environments that reflect unique local ecosystems. Her key messages advocated for planting indigenous species, prohibiting invasive species, promoting less manicured green spaces for increased biodiversity, supporting local wildlife, and co-designing with indigenous communities. Dr. Stanley stressed that context-specific, ecologically appropriate solutions prevent negative impacts like invasive species spread and ecological degradation, fostering healthier urban ecosystems. The i-Canopy project, led by Anouk De Brock, focuses on dedicated monitoring of vertical greening systems using advanced techniques like Leaf Area Index and AI to assess performance factors such as air quality and temperature regulation, optimizing maintenance and contributing to sustainable urban environments. Professor Piotr Wężyk’s project on Detecting Urban Tree Species in TLS LiDAR 3D Point Clouds Using AI Technologies demonstrated the use of LiDAR and AI to identify tree species in urban settings, providing scalable methods for monitoring urban tree populations. Yi-Jung Lin presented the Component-Level Embodied Carbon Database for Landscape Hard Works in Taiwan, which quantifies the embodied carbon of landscape materials, enabling design choices that significantly reduce carbon footprints. The Wild West End project in London exemplified successful nature-based solutions through partnerships, demonstrating how collaboration between public, private, and community stakeholders can transform urban areas with greening initiatives. Ultimately, the congress emphasized that New Zealand cities, such as Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, and Christchurch, can leverage these insights to become more inclusive urban environments. By integrating green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, these cities can enhance biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, and create healthier, more livable spaces. The holistic approach, combining technology, community involvement, and ecological awareness, positions Aotearoa New Zealand cities to become global exemplars of sustainable urban living, capable of withstanding climate change impacts, enhancing public health, and providing vibrant spaces for future generations. The event was a collaborative effort by the World Green Infrastructure Network, the University of Auckland Creative Arts and Industries, and Design for Nature, with support from various sponsors. #GreenInfrastructure #UrbanResilience #Sustainability #ClimateChange #NatureBasedSolutions #Biodiversity #UrbanPlanning #TechnologicalInnovation #CommunityEngagement

Flooding is an inherent aspect of human existence, a fact accentuated by contemporary climate change and the continued development on flood plains. This reality necessitates a paradigm shift in how communities interact with water, moving from resistance to adaptation. Nations like the Netherlands, with over half its landmass below sea level, offer a wealth of knowledge in coexisting with water through innovative building techniques. Adapting to this new reality involves a multi-faceted approach, including enhanced water system management, judicious land use planning, and the implementation of flood-resilient architectural designs. This article explores four distinct building strategies that facilitate living harmoniously with water, focusing on both new constructions and the retrofitting of existing structures. One approach involves the concept of "sacrificial ground floors," particularly suited for areas with low to medium flood probability. This design elevates residential areas to the first floor, while the ground floor or basement is intentionally designed to accommodate floodwaters. This lower level can serve as storage or a car park during dry periods, with the understanding that its contents must be moved to higher ground when flooding is anticipated. This method prioritizes the protection of living spaces while acknowledging the temporary inundation of secondary areas. For regions with high flood probability, especially coastal zones, building on stilts offers a robust solution. This involves elevating the entire structure above the anticipated flood levels, a practice common in the Netherlands. While effective against rising waters, stilt structures require additional protective measures, such as breakwaters, to shield the stilts from debris carried by floodwaters. However, this design presents challenges in urban environments, including difficulties in managing the space beneath the stilts, which can lead to security concerns due to lack of surveillance and effective utilization. Furthermore, integrating stilt buildings into urban landscapes often necessitates the construction of ramps, lifts, and elevated walkways, adding complexity to urban planning. Floating buildings represent another innovative strategy, particularly suitable for direct integration with water bodies. These structures are built upon specialized polystyrene slabs encased in concrete, allowing them to rise with increasing water levels, typically up to five and a half meters. This method, extensively tested in the Netherlands and even applied to structures like floating greenhouses, obviates the need for land reclamation and is highly effective in high-risk flood areas. Smaller, two-story floating buildings, often connected to floating piers, maintain essential services through waterproof and flexible pipework that accommodates vertical movement. Finally, "wet-proofing" involves enhancing the resilience of both new and existing structures to minimize damage during flooding. This entails using water-resistant materials for floors, such as concrete or tiles, and reinforcing walls and fixtures. Crucially, electrical controls, cables, and appliances are installed above typical flood levels, usually exceeding one meter from the ground, in all potentially affected areas. By incorporating these measures, properties can be designed to withstand inundation with only minimal damage. The unpredictability of flooding underscores the importance of implementing these flood-proofing strategies in current building practices. Proactive foresight and planning can lead to the development of flood-resistant buildings that support mitigation efforts and contribute to the long-term adaptation of cities to a changing climate. #FloodResilientDesign #WaterManagement #SustainableArchitecture #ClimateAdaptation #BuildingTechniques #UrbanPlanning #DutchInnovation #EnvironmentalDesign #ArchitecturalSolutions

This study delves into the thermal performance and adaptive strategies of traditional Hijazi dwellings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a region characterized by a hot and humid climate. Focusing on the Baeshen House, built in 1856, the research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining ethnographic interviews with quantitative field measurements conducted between December 2021 and August 2022. The objective is to identify how these vernacular structures, designed without air conditioning, provided thermal comfort to their occupants and to extract lessons applicable to modern sustainable architectural design. The qualitative phase involved interviews with ten former residents, all in their 80s, who had lived in traditional Hijazi buildings as children. These interviews provided rich insights into daily life, occupant behaviors, and cultural practices related to thermal management. Key themes emerged from these discussions, including the strategic use of windows on the west and north facades to capture specific wind currents (cool and humid from the Red Sea, cold and dry from the north, while blocking hot southern winds). Residents actively controlled airflow, emphasizing the importance of opening Mashribyah bay windows for ventilation. The interviews also highlighted the common use of hand fans for personal cooling, especially during midday heat, and the practice of a traditional break (siesta) at noon. Occupants recalled a direct connection between indoor and outdoor environments, noting the presence of external sounds and smells, and acknowledging the expected presence of insects as part of living in such naturally ventilated homes. A significant adaptive strategy involved diurnal and seasonal movement within the house, including sleeping on roofs or upper floors under mosquito nets during summer nights for cooler air, and moving to the cooler lower-level entrance lobbies (dahleez) during the hottest parts of the day. The practice of spraying water in the dahleez, corridors, and even public areas like house entrances and streets before sunset was also a widely recalled and effective cooling method, providing evaporative cooling and improving microclimates. The quantitative phase involved installing sensors within the Baeshen House to monitor indoor and outdoor temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed, and direction during winter and summer. The study examined two ventilation strategies: full-day and night-time ventilation, alongside water spraying experiments. Results demonstrated that the thick Al-Mangabi coral stone walls, characteristic of Hijazi architecture, functioned as a significant thermal mass. These walls effectively dampened large external temperature fluctuations, delaying heat transfer into the interiors by 1 to 5 hours and reducing peak indoor temperatures by 5-6°C compared to outdoor peaks. The stairs, centrally located, acted as a chimney, facilitating the stack effect to draw hot air out. Comparing the ventilation strategies, night-time ventilation proved more efficient, leading to lower indoor air temperatures during the subsequent day, especially in summer, by pre-cooling the building's thermal mass. The Temperature Difference Ratio (TDR) confirmed the superior cooling performance of night ventilation. Overall, the study concludes that Hijazi vernacular architecture offers valuable lessons in climate-responsive design. The integration of high thermal mass materials, strategic natural ventilation, and active occupant behaviors (such as nocturnal cooling, internal migration, and evaporative cooling through water use) collectively contributed to maintaining thermal comfort in a challenging hot-humid climate without mechanical air conditioning. These traditional practices provide a blueprint for modern architectural design to enhance sustainability, reduce energy consumption, and promote adaptive thermal comfort, particularly in addressing contemporary environmental challenges. #ClimateResponsiveArchitecture #VernacularArchitecture #ThermalComfort #JeddahDwellings #HijaziArchitecture #NaturalVentilation #ThermalMass #AdaptiveBehavior #SustainableDesign

This review discusses Daniel A. Barber's book, "Modern Architecture and Climate: Design before Air Conditioning" (Princeton University Press, 2020), which builds upon Reyner Banham's earlier work, "The Architecture of the Well-Tempered Environment." Barber's book offers a comprehensive historical account of how designers adapted modernist architecture to various climate conditions from the mid-1930s to the 1960s, a period predating the widespread adoption of mechanical air conditioning. The work highlights a climate-adapted architectural approach that minimized reliance on fossil fuels for cooling. The book is structured into two main sections. The first part explores formal design innovations aimed at keeping buildings cool. It begins with an analysis of Le Corbusier's work, focusing on his 1931 Barcelona proposal, which featured climate-adapted elements like internal courtyards and rudimentary brise soleils. The discussion then moves to the contributions of modernist architects in Brazil, including Oscar Niemeyer, Lucio Costa, and the Roberto brothers, whose designs demonstrated sophisticated and adjustable climate-responsive solutions. The final chapter in this section examines American architects working internationally, with a notable example being Josep Lluis Sert's design for the embassy and diplomatic compound in Baghdad, which integrated climate and culture in its architectural response. The second part of the book chronicles efforts to apply scientific understanding of weather and climate to maintain livable interior conditions. It details the pioneering research of the Olgyay brothers, who introduced the concept of "bioclimatic architecture." Their work at the Princeton Architectural Laboratory set benchmarks for measuring climate effects on building form and promoted architectural design as a tool for climate tempering. The book also identifies ASHRAE as a significant influence, arguing that its standardization of comfort conditions contributed to the dominance of mechanical ventilation and the marginalization of more nuanced, pre-air conditioning solutions. A central theme of Barber's work is the impact of uniform interior temperature and humidity standards on architectural practice and environmental sustainability. The review notes that the triumph of the fossil fuel economy following World War II led to mechanical air conditioning systems largely replacing earlier, climate-sensitive architectural strategies. This shift allowed architects to move away from the intensive understanding of local site conditions that had previously informed climate-responsive design. The book suggests that the assumptions underpinning the development of these ideal indoor climates were influenced by problematic social and historical contexts. Overall, Barber's "Modern Architecture and Climate" is presented as a significant contribution to the history of architectural modernism. It underscores the environmental consequences of modern expectations for uniform interior conditions while also providing historical examples that challenge these assumptions. The book serves as an inspiring resource for reconsidering the role of building form in mitigating climate extremes, offering valuable insights relevant to contemporary climate challenges. #architecturalHistory #architecturalTheory #climate #climateCrisis #bookReview #modernArchitecture #sustainableDesign #buildingTechnology #environmentalDesign

The building and construction sector faces an urgent imperative to decarbonize, with its environmental impact highlighted by recent findings from the 2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, which noted that CO2 emissions reached an all-time high post-COVID-19. This sector accounts for 40% of all energy-related CO2 emissions, primarily from material extraction, manufacturing, and construction processes, along with significant energy consumption for heating, cooling, lighting, and operations. Traditional building practices exacerbate these issues, intensifying the sector's contribution to climate change. Sustainable building, also known as green building or sustainable design, offers a comprehensive solution by minimizing negative environmental impacts across a building's entire lifecycle, from design and construction to operation and eventual demolition or reuse. This approach integrates various green features, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction. Energy efficiency is paramount in sustainable architecture, focusing on strategies like effective insulation, efficient HVAC systems, and maximized natural lighting to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Many sustainable buildings also incorporate renewable energy systems such as solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems to generate their own power. Water conservation is addressed through rainwater harvesting, low-flow fixtures, and efficient irrigation, preserving water resources and reducing utility costs. Waste reduction is achieved through careful material selection, prioritizing renewable and recyclable materials like reclaimed wood, recycled concrete, and bamboo, along with effective construction waste management. Passive design strategies are crucial for optimizing energy efficiency and occupant comfort by leveraging natural heating and cooling sources through building orientation, thermal mass, insulation, and glazing. This approach maximizes natural light, improves indoor air quality, and lowers utility bills. An integrated design process is essential, fostering collaboration among architects, engineers, and builders to seamlessly embed sustainability goals into every project phase. Sustainable construction practices extend beyond design, embracing innovative techniques like prefabricated construction, which reduces waste, energy consumption, and construction time by manufacturing components off-site. The article showcases ten pioneering sustainable buildings globally, including the Bahrain World Trade Center with its wind turbines, the Shanghai Tower with its double-skin facade and wind turbines, and the Bank of America Tower known for its energy-efficient technologies and green roofs. Other notable examples include Brazil's Museum of Tomorrow, Australia's Pixel Building, The Edge in the Netherlands, One Central Park in Australia, the net-zero energy Bullitt Center in the United States, The Crystal in the UK, and China's solar-powered Sun-Moon Mansion. The future of sustainable architecture is promising, with emerging trends like net-zero energy buildings that produce as much energy as they consume, circular economy principles focusing on material reuse and waste minimization, and biophilic design which integrates natural elements to enhance occupant well-being. These advancements underscore a collective commitment to creating environmentally friendly buildings that also offer healthy and comfortable living and working environments. #SustainableBuildings #GreenArchitecture #UrbanDesign #ClimateChange #EnergyEfficiency #WaterConservation #WasteReduction #NetZeroBuildings #BiophilicDesign

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, driven by climate change, are introducing significant challenges across various sectors, particularly for workers involved in the repair and maintenance of essential infrastructure. This article highlights the often-overlooked role of air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians, who are critical in enabling societal adaptation to a warming world. Air-conditioning is vital for maintaining comfortable indoor environments, while refrigeration supports global food supply chains, healthcare systems, and agriculture. Despite their crucial contributions, this workforce faces numerous difficulties, including health risks from heat stress, and pervasive skills shortages. Research conducted by a team of engineers and social scientists at the University of Wollongong, commissioned by the Australian Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, investigated maintenance practices in commercial office buildings. The findings revealed that many issues identified in commercial settings are also prevalent in other building types, such as hotels, aged-care facilities, and shopping centers. The study involved an extensive industry survey, 70 in-depth interviews, and four focus groups with building contractors and facilities managers. Researchers also directly observed workers responding to service calls and performing routine maintenance, gaining firsthand insight into their daily challenges. A significant problem identified is the health and safety risk posed by extreme heat. As global temperatures rise, air-conditioning workers are increasingly exposed to hazardous conditions, such as working on roofs that can reach temperatures of 60°C. These conditions not only threaten their well-being but also impair productivity, making their essential work more difficult and dangerous. The article emphasizes that Australia's building stock is generally ill-prepared for climate change, with many structures poorly insulated and heavily reliant on electrical appliances for temperature regulation. This reliance places air-conditioning workers at the forefront of climate adaptation efforts, a role that comes with substantial personal risk. Beyond adaptation, these technicians also play a critical role in climate change mitigation. Air-conditioning and refrigeration systems collectively account for approximately 17% of global energy consumption. By installing more energy-efficient appliances and performing timely maintenance, these workers can significantly reduce energy usage. However, building owners often undervalue preventative maintenance and equipment upgrades. Many commercial buildings, estimated to be around 80,000 in Australia, require energy efficiency improvements, largely due to outdated air-conditioning systems. Contractors reported that cooling and ventilation systems are frequently operated until failure, leading to excessive energy consumption and increased strain on the electricity grid. The sector also struggles with workforce recruitment and retention. Industry statistics indicate that while about 1,600 individuals annually commence apprenticeships or traineeships in refrigeration and air-conditioning trades in Australia, fewer than half complete their training. This high attrition rate creates a significant shortage of skilled workers, which could severely hinder Australia's ability to adapt to and mitigate climate change. The article concludes by stressing the urgent need for a national priority to address these challenges, ensuring that the air-conditioning and refrigeration workforce is adequately supported to meet the demands of a warmer planet, thereby benefiting both people and the environment. #ClimateChange #EnergyEfficiency #WorkforceShortages #AirConditioning #Refrigeration #HeatStress #SkilledTrades #ClimateAdaptation #Maintenance