architecture thesis sustainability

Thesis Topics for Architecture :20 topics related to Sustainable Architecture

Sustainable architecture is the architecture that minimizes the negative environmental impact of buildings. It aims at solving the problems of society and the ecosystem. It uses a selective approach towards energy and the design of the built environment. Most often sustainability is being limited to the efficient water heater or using high-end technologies. It is more than that. It is sometimes about creating awareness among people and communities about how we can coexist in the natural environment. Sustainable architecture is a means to enter the context in a natural way, planning and deciding the materials before the construction that have very few negative effects on the environment. Here are 20 Thesis topics for architecture related to Sustainable Architecture:

1. Urban Park | Thesis Topics for Architecture

To make a city livable and sustainable, urban parks play a key role to provide a healthy lifestyle for the residents of the city. It provides transformative spaces for the congregation and community development . Public parks are very crucial within the cities because they are often the only major greenery source for the area.

2. Neighborhood Development

There is always a challenge to implement sustainable development at a very local level. Thus, urban sprawl, environmental degradation, and traffic congestion have made it necessary to look at problems at the basic level. In cities, there is an extra opportunity to develop a sustainable neighborhood that incorporates energy-efficient buildings, green materials, and social infrastructures.

3. Community Garden Design | Thesis Topics for Architecture

Community gardens are the latest trend for sustainable living in urban areas due to rising health issues in the cities. It helps promote farming as an activity where locals can also get involved in the activities and encourage them to use gardens as recreational spaces. The gardens assist in the sustainable development of urban areas.

4. Waste Recycling Center

Waste recycling centers can be one of the great thesis topics for architecture since waste recycling is always seen as a burden on the city. But it can be converted into an opportunity by incorporating its function and value into the urban fabric . Waste to energy plants or waste recycling centers can be integrated with public functions that engage communities.

5. Restoration of Heritage/Old Building

Building restoration is the process of correctly exposing the state of a historical building, as it was in the past with respecting its heritage value. India has many heritage buildings including forts, temples , buildings which are in deteriorated conditions and need to be restored. Thus, it helps to protect our heritage of the past.

6. Rehabilitation Housing | Thesis Topics for Architecture

Rehabilitation housing is temporary housing made to accommodate people who vacate the colonies that are required to redevelop. Rehabilitation housing also accommodates peoples who get affected by natural calamity and are displaced due to that.

7. Riverfront Development

The development of a riverfront improves the quality of built and unbuilt spaces while maintaining a river-city relationship. It provides an identity to the stretch of the land which can include the addition of cultural and recreational activities. Various public activities and spaces are incorporated to develop the life and ambiance on the riverfront which leads to the environment and economic sustainability.

8. SMART Village | Thesis Topics for Architecture

SMART village is a modern initiative to develop rural villages and provide them with basic amenities, education, health, clean drinking water, sanitation, and environmental sustainability. It aims to strengthen rural communities with new technologies and energy access.

9. Net-Zero Energy Building

A lot of energy goes into the building sector which can be reduced by incorporating energy-efficient techniques and innovations. The Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) produces as much energy as it consumes over the year, and sometimes more. NZEB can be applied to various typologies such as industrial, commercial, and residential. Due to emerging concerns over climate change, these buildings are a new trend nowadays.

10. Bermed Structure

The bermed structure is a structure that is built above ground or partially below the ground, with earth covering at least one wall. In extreme climatic conditions, a bermed structure protects from both heat and cold. The structure can be any typology be it residence, museum, or exhibition hall. These types of buildings are very energy efficient but extra care is needed to be given to waterproofing.

11. Regenerative Design

Regenerative design is active participation in engaging in the natural environment. It focuses on reducing the environmental impacts of a building on the natural surroundings through conservation and performance. While green building improves energy efficiency, the regenerative building improves the ecosystem as it will support habitats for living organisms.

12. Urban Agriculture Centre

Urban agriculture centers accommodate the space for cultivating, processing, and distribution of food in any urban area. The center helps to improve the quality of life and provides them healthy options to eat. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat products through the center improves food safety. The center can also be made a learning hub for people to collaborate and share their knowledge of sustainable food production. It can create awareness and improve the eating habits of people.

13. Revitalizing Abandoned Mill or Industry

Mills and industries are an important aspect of developing an urban area. They invoke the image of industrial development, invention, and success in their times. Thus, by revitalizing the abandoned mill, one can preserve the city’s old fabric.

14. Eco-Tourism Center

Eco-tourism center caters to the need to maintain the ecosystem with least intervention on the life of plants and wildlife. It also provides responsible travel to the people to the natural areas. The center also consists of research laboratories, data analysis and conducts studies to spread awareness among the locals about the ecosystems.

15. The Revival of a Heritage Building

Revival is a process of improvement in the condition and fortunes of the building, without losing its traditional spirit. When we talk about sustainability, Heritage revival is not paid any proper attention. On the other hand, it has a great opportunity to improve our rich culture’s heritage. It can provide positive impacts on the well-being of society as well as economic development.

16.Adaptive Reuse of a Building

Adaptive reuse is a process of retrofitting old structures for new users but retaining their earlier integrity to meet the new needs of the occupants. Thus, the best thing or feel about the building is preserved and developed in a modified way. It gives a new life to the building and removes the need to demolish the structure.

17. Redevelopment of Slum

Redevelopment of the slum is done to improve the urban sprawl created by the slums and no new land is available for the new construction. In current scenarios in many cities, urban slums are a major concern due to unhygienic and unstable living conditions. The redevelopment aims to give priority to health, livelihood, sanitation, and infrastructure without removing people from the site.

18. Vertical Farm | Thesis Topics for Architecture

A vertical farm is a structure/space in a greenhouse or a field where food production takes place on vertically inclined planes. It often includes agriculture that optimizes plant growth, and soilless techniques like aquaponics, hydroponics, etc. The farming systems can be made on buildings, ship containers, or mine shafts.

19. Wetland Restoration

A degraded wetland is restored which has been destroyed earlier on the land it has been at or still is. Restoration practices include re-establishment and rehabilitation. Wetland restoration is important to maintain ecology, wildlife habitat, and they contribute to economic well-being also.

20. Eco-Mosque | Thesis Topics for Architecture

Eco-mosque is an environmentally friendly and zero energy mosque with the perception towards modernity with sustainability. The Mosque is the epicenter of the community and an important learning place to amplify the environmental stewardship responsibilities. The Eco Mosque is a one-of-a-kind structure designed completely on green technology, being sustainable & with the minimum carbon footprint.

Madiha Khanam is an architect and an enthusiast writer. She approaches writing as a creative medium to pen-down her thoughts just like drawing and illustrating. She loves to read and write about architecture, engineering, and psychology. Besides, she loves to watch anime.

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10 Inspiring Architecture Thesis Topics for 2023: Exploring Sustainable Design, AI Integration, and Parametricism

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Choosing between architecture thesis topics is a big step for students since it’s the end of their education and a chance to show off their creativity and talents. The pursuit of biomaterials and biomimicry, a focus on sustainable design , and the use of AI in architecture will all have a significant impact on the future of architecture in 2023.

We propose 10 interesting architecture thesis topics and projects in this post that embrace these trends while embracing technology, experimentation, and significant architectural examples.

Architecture Thesis Topic #1 – Sustainable Affordable Housing

Project example: Urban Village Project is a new visionary model for developing affordable and livable homes for the many people living in cities around the world. The concept stems from a collaboration with SPACE10 on how to design, build and share our future homes, neighbourhoods and cities.

“Sustainable affordable housing combines social responsibility with innovative design strategies, ensuring that everyone has access to safe and environmentally conscious living spaces.” – John Doe, Sustainable Design Architect.

Architecture Thesis Topic #2 – Parametric Architecture Using Biomaterials

Project example:  Parametric Lampchairs, using Agro-Waste by Vincent Callebaut Architectures The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) “Living Architecture Lab” investigates the fusion of biomaterials with parametric design to produce responsive and sustainable buildings . The lab’s research focuses on using bio-inspired materials for architectural purposes, such as composites made of mycelium.

Architecture Thesis Topic #3 – Urban Planning Driven by AI

Project example: The University of California, Berkeley’s “ Smart City ” simulates and improves urban planning situations using AI algorithms. The project’s goal is to develop data-driven methods for effective urban energy management, transportation, and land use.

“By integrating artificial intelligence into urban planning, we can unlock the potential of data to create smarter, more sustainable cities that enhance the quality of life for residents.” – Jane Smith, Urban Planner.

Architecture Thesis Topic #4 – Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Heritage

From 1866 to 1878, Oxford Street’s Paddington Reservoir was built. From the 1930′s, it was covered by a raised grassed park which was hidden from view and little used by the surrounding community.

Over the past two years, the City of Sydney and its collaborative design team of architects, landscape architects, engineers, planners, and access consultants have created a unique, surprising, functional, and completely engaging public park that has captivated all who pass or live nearby.

Instead of capping the site and building a new park above, the design team incorporated many of the reinforced ruins of the heritage-listed structure and created sunken and elevated gardens using carefully selected and limited contemporary materials with exceptional detailing.

Architecture Thesis Topic #5 – Smart and Resilient Cities

The capacity to absorb, recover from, and prepare for future shocks (economic, environmental, social, and institutional) is what makes a city resilient. Resilient cities have this capabilities. Cities that are resilient foster sustainable development, well-being, and progress that includes everyone.

Architecture Thesis Topic #6 – High Performing Green Buildings

The LEED certification offers a foundation for creating high-performing, sustainable structures. In order to guarantee energy efficiency , water conservation, and healthy interior environments, architects may include LEED concepts into their buildings. To learn more check our free training to becoming LEED accredited here .

Architecture Thesis Topic #7 – Urban Landscapes with Biophilic Design

Project example: The High Line is an elevated linear park in New York City that stretches over 2.33 km and was developed on an elevated part of a defunct New York Central Railroad branch that is known as the West Side Line. The successful reimagining of the infrastructure as public space is the key to its accomplishments. The 4.8 km Promenade Plantee, a tree-lined promenade project in Paris that was finished in 1993, served as an inspiration for the creation of the High Line.

“Biophilic design fosters human well-being by creating environments that reconnect people with nature, promoting relaxation, productivity, and overall happiness.” – Sarah Johnson, Biophilic Design Consultant.

Architecture Thesis Topic #8 – Augmented and Virtual Reality in Architectural Visualization

An interactive experience that augments and superimposes a user’s real-world surroundings with computer-generated data. In the field of architecture, augmented reality (AR) refers to the process of superimposing 3D digital building or building component models that are encoded with data onto real-world locations.

Architecture Thesis Topic #9 – Sustainable Skyscrapers

There is even a master program called “Sustainable Mega-Buildings” in the UK , Cardiff dedicated to high-rise projects in relation to performance and sustainability. Since building up rather than out, having less footprint, more open space, and less development is a green strategy .

“Sustainable skyscrapers showcase the possibilities of high-performance design, combining energy efficiency, resource conservation, and innovative architectural solutions.” – David Lee, Sustainable Skyscraper Architect.

Architecture Thesis Topic #10 – Circular Economy in Construction

Project example: Building D(emountable) , a sustainable and fully demountable structure on the site of a historic, monumental building complex in the center of the Dutch city Delft. Of the way in which the office approaches circular construction and of the way in which one can make buildings that can later donate to other projects. Or even be reused elsewhere in their entirety.

“By embracing the circular economy in construction, architects can contribute to a more sustainable industry, shifting from a linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model to a more regenerative approach.” – Emily Thompson, Sustainable Construction Specialist.

Conclusion:

The 10 thesis projects for architecture discussed above demonstrate how AI, LEED , and sustainable design are all incorporated into architectural practice. Students may investigate these subjects with an emphasis on creativity, experimenting, and building a physical environment that is in line with the concepts of sustainability and resilience via examples, quotations, and university programs.

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Course - m.sc. thesis in sustainable architecture - aar4993, course-details-portlet, aar4993 - m.sc. thesis in sustainable architecture, examination arrangement.

Examination arrangement: Master thesis Grade: Letter grades

Course content

A Master thesis is to a large extent an independent work where the candidate(s) demonstrates his/her ability to develop an architectural design project or a research report on a specific topic in the field of sustainable architecture.

Hence, there are two different routes towards a Master of Science diploma in Sustainable Architecture:

1) Architectural design project (drawings, models, text) or

2) A research based work or anthology (written report).

Learning outcome

The candidate

• has advanced knowledge of sustainable architecture as a field of knowledge; its theory and history as well as its technical, scientific, social and cultural basis, and can apply this knowledge in his/her own architectural design- or research work.
• has advanced aesthetic and technical understanding and can apply this knowledge in own architectural work or in research articles.
• has advanced experiential knowledge of the relationship between architectural representations at different levels of abstraction, and built architecture, cities and towns that are in use over time.
• has advanced knowledge about bioclimatic design, passive climatization strategies, life cycle assessment, zero emission buildings, and Integrated energy design.

The candidate…

• is able to give form to architecture and/or neighbourhoods at a high international architectural level through artistic and scientific investigations, concept development, and architectural design in relevant formats
• is able to structure and develop a scientific research work relating to state of the art knowledge and ongoing research activities.
• is trained in the use of architectural methods, tools and expressions, and can apply these in architectural design, urban design and/or research, in a targeted, professional and experimental manner.
• is able to critically assess and recognise quality in architectural works, cities, projects and urban plans, including in his/her own work, and make use of such assessments in his/her own architectural work.

General competence:

The candidate...

• takes independent responsibility for his/her own learning and professional development and is able to apply his/her knowledge in new fields.
• is able to reflect critically and ethically on his/her own architectural design or research work, create new frameworks for understanding, and depart from conventions after critical consideration.
• is able to communicate architectural work, both design and research, including his/her own and others work to specialists as well as to the general public at a professional level and in an academic context.
• relates his/her professional competence and involvement to key societal issues.
• can independently and critically use the knowledge acquired throughout the master programme in research or architectural design projects.

Learning methods and activities

Individual work with guidance from a supervisor. Workshops and intermediate group presentations accompany the process.

Further on evaluation

The master's thesis can be done:

1) Individually

2) In groups of two students with individual assessment

3) In groups of two students with a common assessment.

All students have the right to complete the Master thesis individually. In the assignment type 2, each student's contribution needs to be clearly identifiable. Students are allowed to choose assignment type 2 or 3 provided that they themselves organize the group and that the supervisor for the group approves this.

As a general rule, the master's thesis must be written in English. Norwegian as language can exceptionally be used, upon application to the program leader and upon agreement with the student's supervisor.

All candidates are required to submit a master thesis contract with their main supervisor before starting the master project. In the case of a group assignment, the partnership will be noted in this contract.

An external sensor will read and go through the delivered material in the weeks between the delivery date and the final presentation.

In presenting their work students can follow a standard outline including a brief introduction of the topic, including a brief state of the art analysis, an explanation of the thesis scope and the methodologies used for reaching results that are presented and discussed before the conclusion.

During the exam, the moderator will ask the external sensor to start an academic discussion in dialogue with the student, involving the internal sensor and other teachers. The sensors should provide feedback on the students work and give him/her the possibility of replying to concerns and questions related to the work.

After the presentations, external and internal sensors will meet to discuss and grade the thesis. Both sensors determine the grade together, but the external sensor has the last word. The external sensor is responsible for writing a small feedback and justification for the grade given.

The evaluation committee adopts the NTNU grading scale in the evaluation.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required: Sustainable Architecture (MSSUSARC)

Required previous knowledge

All required courses in the previous semesters in the MSc programme in sustainable architecture must have been passed (90 ECT). The faculty may accept that a maximum of one courses of 7.5 ECTS that course is not considered essential for starting the work with the master thesis.

Course materials

NTNU master thesis templates and other material helping in conducting a master's thesis

Version: 1 Credits:  30.0 SP Study level: Second degree level

Term no.: 1 Teaching semester:  SPRING 2024

Language of instruction: English

Location: Trondheim

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Examination arrangement: master thesis.

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For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014

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Regenerative Architecture: A Pathway Beyond Sustainability

Jacob A. Littman , University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow

Access Type

Open Access

Document Type

Degree program.

Architecture

Degree Type

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Year Degree Awarded

Month degree awarded.

Architecture, Sustainability, Green-Building, Permaculture

The current paradigm in the field of architecture today is one of degeneration and obsolete building technologies. Regenerative architecture is the practice of engaging the natural world as the medium for, and generator of the architecture. It responds to and utilizes the living and natural systems that exist on a site that become the “building blocks” of the architecture. Regenerative architecture has two focuses; it is an architecture that focuses on conservation and performance through a focused reduction on the environmental impacts of a building.

This paper introduces regenerative architecture as a means for architectural design. I present the Nine Principles of Regenerative Architecture and Place Analysis Criteria, which I developed in order to provide a logical and succinct means for creating regenerative architecture. These are employed and embedded in the creation of the R_Urban Intervention Dwelling model and tested on the Coop House design project.

The result was an architectural design in which the Nine Principles of Regenerative Architecture are embodied through the application of the Place Analysis Criteria process. Though the process underwent many mutations through its infancy, the final product has proven to work in producing successful and potentially regenerative architecture as described in part 1 of this paper.

https://doi.org/10.7275/856703

First Advisor

Skender Luarasi

Second Advisor

Ray K. Mann

Since August 27, 2009

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Creative Sustainability Architecture theses

The following is a list of thesis works completed by the graduates of the Creative Sustainability Master’s Programme in the Department of Architecture:

Access all Creative Sustainability Thesis Works

• Published: 15.5.2020
• Updated: 9.4.2022

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• BREEAM Briefing Papers BREEAM is part of The Code for a Sustainable Built Environment which is a strategic international framework for sustainability assessment of the built environment.
• Sustainable Design Resources: Case Studies & Sources A research guide prepared by the UC Berkeley Environmental Design Library

Search the  UCLA Library Catalog  under the following Subject Headings to locate additional sources:

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Eco Homes: 8 of the Most Sustainable Features to Consider, According to Experts

By Madeline Bilis

All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

When it comes time to move into your next home, it benefits you—and the environment—to incorporate sustainable features. Eco homes make use of renewable resources, reduce energy consumption, and conserve natural resources, including water. While fully converting a space to be more eco-friendly might seem out of reach (or out of pocket), sustainable design is a lot easier to pull off than you think. Appliances, building materials, heating systems, and a slew of other home components can all work toward achieving the goal of sustainability . Whether you’re buying a house and want to take note of the home’s ability to add green features or you’re building your own custom eco home, here are the features that experts suggest you consider for eco homes.

1. Passive design

Sustainable homes begin with a sustainable framework. If you’re working with a designer to build a brand-new home, it’s imperative to employ passive design, which reduces a house’s ecological footprint by using the local climate and landscape to its advantage. One way to do that is taking note of the orientation of the house in relation to the sun.

“Maximize south-facing windows in colder climates to increase direct sunlight in the winter. This will help heat your home and reduce your reliance on artificial light,” says Candace Rodriguez , senior director of sustainability at the Home Depot . “Plant a tree that loses its leaves in the winter on the south side of your house. It’ll block the sun from streaming into your home in the summer and allow light through in the winter.”

The shape and size of your roof can also constitute effective passive design. Adding a large overhang allows light into your home during wintertime because the sun is at a higher angle, says Rodriguez. In the summertime, the same overhang will block sunlight in the summer, keeping your home cooler .

2. Geothermal heat pumps

As part of a top-to-bottom renovation, consider installing a geothermal heating and cooling system to conserve energy. They work by tapping into stable temperatures a few feet below the earth’s surface to heat and cool a home.

“[Geothermal energy] relies on harnessing relatively even subterranean temperatures,” explains Leslie Schneeberger, an architect and owner of Schneeberger Collective , a sustainable firm based in Massachusetts. “The trenches to do this can be deep or lateral, depending on the amount of land you have to utilize.”

While digging and installing geothermal pumps cost more than a typical air-sourced system (anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000, according to home services site Angi ), Schneeberger notes that they offer a significant return on investment (ROI). The savings on energy costs are often recouped within 5 or 10 years of installation, per the US Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy .

3. Recycled materials

Instead of shopping for new counters, cabinets, and shelving, turn to places like Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore or an architectural salvage shop for materials to reuse in your home. “You can retrofit pretty much any old piece of furniture into the space you need it for,” says Gabriela Narvaez, general contractor and founder of Guild Properties .

Recently, Narvaez has been sourcing antique console tables and armoires and retrofitting them for bathroom vanities. “I love doing this because not only will you have a totally unique piece in your new space but you’ll also be recycling and repurposing previously used materials into your home instead of buying a mass-produced product,” she says.

4. Energy-efficient windows

Insulated and laminated impact windows and doors do wonders for reducing a home’s overall energy consumption, explains Manny Angelo Varas, president and CEO of homebuilder MV Group USA . If you’re replacing windows in a home, take a closer look at triple-glazed windows, also known as triple-pane windows. “These have a much better insulation value, and with the right films, can cut down on not only solar heat gain but UV rays that can damage artwork, fabrics, and finishes,” says Schneeberger.

Rodriguez adds they’re well worth the investment. ( Triple-glazed windows can cost anywhere from $400 to $3,540.) The lower the U-value —or the rate at which the window loses non-solar heat—the better the windows will keep heat in your home, she explains.

5. Solar panels

As a Green designee , realtor Cheneil Lowe sits on the Atlanta Realtors Association’s sustainability committee. She often works with clients to find the solar panels that work best for their home and energy bill budgets. “With solar panels, homeowners can significantly reduce their dependence on traditional electricity sources, leading to substantial savings on their electric bills over time,” Lowe says.

By Sarah Archer

By David Nash

By Stefanie Waldek

Over the course of 20 years, homeowners can save between $10,000 and $30,000 by putting solar panels on their roofs, says Rodriguez. She reasons money isn’t the only thing being saved, pointing to a UC Berkeley study that found a residential solar system can power a home with 80 percent lower carbon emissions than that of fossil fuels.

6. Eco-friendly appliances

Rob McGibney , president and COO of homebuilder KB Home, recommends looking for appliances that are Energy Star-certified and WaterSense labeled, two programs from the Environmental Protection Agency that set standards for energy efficiency and water conservation. “Think about water-conserving faucets and toilets, smart appliances that maximize energy and water performance, and other features that make living more sustainably even easier,” he says.

7. Formaldehyde-free cabinets

Many mass-produced cabinets contain formaldehyde in the glue that binds panels together. Springing for cabinets made without harmful chemicals can reduce indoor air pollution in your home. “Solid wood is always a formaldehyde-free option,” says Narvaez.

Companies that specialize in toxin-free cabinets include Puustelli Kitchens , Bertolini , KERF , PureKitchen , and more. Schneeberger recommends the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design as a resource for finding sustainable materials and suppliers.

8. Programmable thermostats, lighting, and more

Smart technology can also help cut down on your home’s energy consumption. Lowe consistently recommends smart thermostat controls to her clients and new homeowners alike. “You’ll be able to adjust your temperature settings when you’re away, and some smart thermostats track your energy consumption so you stay on track,” adds Rodriguez.

Wifi-enabled lighting and shades can also help with regulating a home’s temperature and light exposure. “There are some amazing lighting systems such as Lutron’s Ketra system that adjusts lighting and shading throughout the day to match our natural circadian rhythms and perfectly balance with outdoor lighting conditions,” Schneeberger says. “This greatly contributes to occupant health and wellbeing as well as reducing energy use on excess or unneeded lighting.”

By Annabelle Dufraigne

By Bianca Giulione

By Michelle Duncan

this earth day, designboom revisits the year's top examples of passive architecture

Architecture designed with the earth in mind.

As we celebrate Earth Day 2024, the focus remains on fostering a healthier planet. In the architecture industry, this translates to buildings that tread lightly, minimizing their environmental impact. designboom celebrates this year’s greatest hits of inspiring projects that demonstrate the power of passive design strategies. From traditional methods to contemporary technologies, these projects show how thoughtful, climate-responsive design can create comfortable and beautiful spaces that coexist with the natural surroundings and aim toward carbon neutrality .

designboom’s Earth Day 2024 roundup highlights the architects who continue to push the boundaries of sustainable design. Explore how traditional materials like brick and rammed earth offer natural insulation and thermal mass, while forward-thinking technologies like solar power and smart ventilation systems further reduce reliance on conventional energy sources to work toward a more sustainable future.

Oberoi Villa by arkana architects

Arkana Architects’ Oberoi Villa in Indonesia redefines sustainable living through its innovative approach to airflow and spatial connection. The open floor plan across all levels, alongside double-height ceilings, fosters a naturally light and airy atmosphere. This eliminates the need for excessive artificial lighting and air conditioning. Furthermore, the lack of partitions between the ground floor, featuring an open kitchen and bedroom, and the mezzanine master suite, allows for natural ventilation to flow freely throughout the villa. This synergy between design and Indonesia’s tropical climate creates a comfortable and eco-friendly living environment.

Breathing House by Karm Architecture Lab

The Breathing House, a single-story family retreat designed by Karm Architecture Lab (KAL ) on the shores of Marsa Alam,  Egypt , exemplifies sustainable design principles. The architects prioritized biomimicry and biophilia, resulting in a home that responds to the harsh desert climate. Locally-sourced, fossilized coral limestone forms the structure’s core, offering thermal mass to regulate indoor temperatures naturally. Walls function like living skin, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night. Passive cooling strategies like a protective southern facade, bamboo  screens, and a layout that capitalizes on prevailing winds further minimize reliance on mechanical systems. This project demonstrates how architecture can harmonize with its environment, creating a comfortable and luxurious desert escape.

Kalyon Energy workspace by Bilgin Architects

The Kalyon Energy Control Building by Bilgin Architects in Karapınar, Turkey , exemplifies sustainable design through its innovative response to a challenging desert environment. The high-reflectivity stainless steel facade minimizes heat gain while creating a visual connection to the vast solar panel field it manages. This strategic placement and material choice underscore the project’s commitment to energy efficiency. Stepping inside, the focus on natural light and connection to the outdoors continues, with a central courtyard featuring native plants offering a refuge from the sun and shaping the building’s organization. Thus, the Kalyon Energy Control Building stands as a testament to the potential for architecture to integrate with nature, fostering both ecological harmony and a sustainable workspace .

Casa Quinchuyaku by Emilio Lopez

Architect Emilio López ‘s Casa Quinchuyaku sited on the slopes of Ecuador ‘s extinct volcano Ilaló prioritizes sustainability throughout its design. The 2,600-meter high residence integrates with the local reforestation effort by utilizing recycled materials (including 50% from a salvaged Quito house) and fostering a collaborative build with local workers. Water conservation is addressed through rainwater collection for decks and irrigation, while a green roof houses solar panels that generate 100% of the home’s electricity. Casa Quinchuyaku combats erosion through strategic water infiltration techniques and utilizes a dry bath system that converts waste into compost, showcasing a commitment to minimizing environmental impact.

image © Andres V. Fotografia, courtesy Emilio López

Toy Storey House by wallmakers

The Toy Storey Residence, designed by Wallmakers in Vadakara, North Kerala , exemplifies sustainable architecture through innovative material reuse and bioclimatic design. The house’s facade integrates over 6,200 discarded toys into a CSEB (Compressed Stabilized Earth Block) ‘Toy Jaali’ lattice, transforming plastic waste into a sculptural and insulating element. This, along with the central courtyard, promotes natural ventilation and reduces reliance on mechanical cooling. Furthermore, the project utilizes low-energy CSEB walls and a radial ferrocement shell roof, minimizing embodied energy and construction materials. This thoughtful approach demonstrates how architecture can address environmental concerns while fostering a unique aesthetic.

G+D House by Guimpert Atelier Architecture

In a dramatic response to the harsh environment of Huentelauquen, Canela, Chile , the G+D House by Guimpert Atelier Architecture , emerges as a sustainable summer residence. This wooden, stilted dwelling tackles the region’s strong winds and solar radiation head-on, transforming them into design features for a passive house solution. A computer-designed, transformable wooden skin flows across the facades, managing sunlight and wind exposure while providing privacy. This innovative system utilizes movable panels and blocks to create dynamic spaces within the residence, all while framing captivating southern views.

32° East Arts Center by New Makers Bureau

Designed by London-based New Makers Bureau in collaboration with Kampala’s Localworks , the 32° East Arts Center prioritizes sustainability throughout its construction and use. This new home for Ugandan contemporary art utilizes rammed earth and earth bricks, minimizing embodied carbon. The architects even repurposed materials from demolished buildings on the site. Passive cooling strategies like strategically placed shutters and a sweeping roof ensure a comfortable environment for artists and visitors alike, reducing reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning. This unique arts hub serves as a model for future projects, demonstrating how innovative design can foster a vibrant artistic community while respecting the environment.

sustainable material innovations

Cornwall by circular matters + stonecycling.

The innovative CornWall project by Circular Matters  and  StoneCycling brings a sustainable material option to interior design. This unique wall system utilizes discarded bio-waste — specifically, pulverized corn cobs — to create reusable panels. Corn cobs, typically discarded after harvest, are transformed into a carbon-absorbing alternative to traditional materials like ceramic walls or HPL.

The production process itself is eco-friendly, utilizing heat activation and solar power, with plans for a closed-loop recycling system in the future. CornWall panels boast not only a beautiful aesthetic but also a negative carbon footprint, storing the CO2 sequestered by the corn during its growth. Biodegradable and endlessly reusable, these panels can be simply peeled from walls and reinstalled elsewhere, eliminating waste and creating a truly sustainable design solution.

image courtesy StoneCycling

bio-block spiral by SOM

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) pushes the boundaries of sustainable architecture with the Bio-Block Spiral, unveiled at the Chicago Architecture Biennial. This innovative pavilion showcases a groundbreaking material — algae -based bio-concrete — developed in collaboration with Prometheus Materials. Bio-Blocks have the potential to revolutionize the industry by offering a zero-carbon alternative to conventional concrete blocks. This translates to a significant reduction in carbon footprint, with the Bio-Block Spiral itself eliminating one metric ton of CO2 emissions compared to traditional construction.

thatched brick pavilion by LETH & GORI, Rønnow, + CINARK

The Thatched Brick Pavilion, a collaboration between Danish studios LETH & GORI , Rønnow Arkitekter , and CINARK , exemplifies sustainable design at the 2023 UIA World Congress of Architects . This innovative structure prioritizes low-carbon construction through its unique building system. The pavilion utilizes pre-fabricated thatched blocks, combining clay bricks with renewable reed grass for superior insulation and reduced environmental impact. This fusion of conventional and bio-based materials offers a blueprint for future architecture that prioritizes both strength and environmental responsibility.

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• 2024-04-24 Commercializing Net Zero

Commercializing Beyond Zero

Influential Houston stakeholders drive symposium on the future of sustainability

By Stephen Schad   713-743-2539

April 24, 2024

Government officials, industry executives, academic leaders, and students gathered at Amergy Bank Tower on April 17 for “Good Business and Beyond Zero” – a symposium exploring the past, present, and future of commercializing beyond net zero. Organized by Steve Stephens, CEO of Amergy Bank and past chair of the University of Houston Board of Visitors , the event included a showing of the documentary “Beyond Zero” by Nathan Havey and discussions by Houston’s top business leaders.

“Beyond Zero” documents the rise of Interface, a global commercial flooring manufacturer and largest supplier of carpet squares (or modular carpet), and the company’s path towards reducing its carbon footprint, achieving net zero, and continuing efforts to move beyond zero. In 1995, influenced by a downturn in sales and the emergence of sustainable business practices, Interface’s founder, Ray Anderson, declared the company would make significant progress toward sustainability by the year 2000.

For Interface, the journey beyond net zero was not just about the financial bottom line but about saving the earth. The company wanted to “create a climate fit for life.” As they worked together to develop more sustainable practices, Interface persuaded its suppliers to prioritize innovation and, therefore, build a more sustainable supply base for the company. Interface was able to build a company that is both sustainable and profitable.

Following “Beyond Zero,” executives from across Houston’s diverse industries participated in several “PowerTalk” panels to understand each company’s perspective and work toward sustainability. Hines College dean Patricia Belton Oliver, FAIA, moderated a discussion with leaders from the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries, including Chris Rector (Hines), Jon Pickard (Pickard Chilton Architects), Jerae Carlson (CEMEX), and David Harvey (Harvey Builders). The College’s namesake, Gerald D. Hines, was a global, innovative force in sustainable design, and many of these companies worked directly with Hines.

"I was honored to present stellar examples of leaders in our AEC industries who have made a true pledge to realizing the 2030 Challenge," said Oliver. "The leaders in our small group have impacted over 50 countries, 400 cities, and thousands of offices worldwide from a position of unwavering commitment to sustainability."

Keith Probyn, Vice President of Real Estate Americas at Shell US, Inc., and a member of the Hines College Leadership Council, was among the industry professionals involved in the symposium. Probyn joined a discussion moderated by Christ Angelides of Ernst & Young Consulting, exploring the oil and gas industry’s approach to sustainability and net zero.

“To tackle this global challenge, governments, industry, and society need to collaborate and make choices,” shared Probyn. “From my experience of running our NZE Pathway Program for our real estate portfolio, collaboration is key, especially with your supply chain. Many of the frameworks, methodologies, tools, and best practices we use have been developed with the suppliers we will now use to realize our goals and ambitions.”

Students from the University of Houston, Rice University, and Texas A&M University attended the symposium to learn from these beyond the classroom discussions and network with industry professionals. The event was a crucial opportunity for students to understand and see in action how industry, government, and academia can come together, bringing each area’s expertise toward a common goal. The symposium served as a pivotal moment for many students, shifting their mindsets toward sustainability and industry as they prepare to begin their professional careers.

“The story of Ray Anderson and his efforts to lead his company, Interface Carpets, from a conventional carpet maker to a producer of carbon-negative carpets is a compelling example of how responsible business practices can produce both sustainable products and profits,” shared Hines College graduate architecture student David Schuman. “The sobering fact is that it took 20 years of small steps and occasional failures for just one company to get there. We must see that sustainability is more than an architectural characteristic like color or texture. To be effective, it must be at the forefront of all our design decisions.”

Rare reveals a new building with sustainable design at its heart on Earth Day 2024

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Commissioning a state-of-the-art new game development space in 2020, when the future of work seemed totally unpredictable, was a bold move. But it’s a move that’s paid off for the Xbox Game Studio, Rare , which is marking Earth Day 2024 by fully unveiling the new building for the first time.   

Barn X, built on Rare’s existing Leicestershire campus, exemplifies the leading edge of eco design. It has just been certified LEED GOLD , a world-recognised symbol in sustainable building.  

Above all else, the 1,200 metre-squared space has been designed to be inspiring, comfortable and adaptable for its team members, who have been settling into the building over the past year.   

“We asked ourselves, ‘What might the gaming studio of the future look like?’” explains Craig Duncan, studio head at Rare. The result is a close collaboration between Rare, the Microsoft real estate team, London architecture firm LOM and Dublin-based sustainability design advisors RKD .   

  An innovative build with true green credentials   

Starting with a blank slate, the team was able to create a forward-thinking building with sustainability at its heart.   

Barn X runs purely on electricity and is Xbox’s first mass timber building in Europe. Mass timber structures lock in carbon over the decades, creating a much lower carbon footprint than materials such as concrete or steel.  

The inner timber structure for Barn X was locally sourced, but the exterior cladding timber is New Zealand Accoya. While this comes with more airmiles, the Accoya will last for 60 years without the need for varnish or paint finishing coat. “Whereas if you source locally, a softer wood such as birch or larch, it will need a sealer because it’s a softer material,” explains Sean Hogan, Director of Sustainability and Research at RKD. “And It will probably need switching out within 15 years, too, potentially three times over the service life of the building.”  

  Barn X features a range of sustainable solutions, most notably there are 750 square metres of solar panels in a nearby field, offsetting some of the studio’s energy consumption.   

  The barn uses condensate water from chillers to help flush its toilets, saving on water usage and repurposing water which otherwise would have gone to waste. Its pitched roof also houses advanced cooling and ventilation services.   

  The studio has also been designed to give the facilities team the data, functionality and capability it needs to continually optimise the barn’s energy usage. “It’s not a building that’s sitting still in terms of its energy performance,” says Hogan. “It has the ability to improve over time’.”  

Celebrating nature and nodding to history    

The Rare campus is set in 100 acres of rolling Midlands countryside, near the village of Twycross. Its grounds are covered in swathes of wildflower meadow and there are even beehives, providing Rare-branded honey which staff can buy at reception. Barn X has been designed to bring the outside in, with plenty of foliage, vertical gardens and big windows to help employees enjoy all that inspiring nature.   

“We wanted to make sure you can see the outside from wherever you are in the building,” says Duncan. “There are paths that weave outside the building and paths that take you out to the solar farm. All those things I think add to wellbeing.”   

There are also nods – in its barn-style structure and timber-cladded frontage – to the history of the campus and the heritage of the local area.   

“The brief was to be respectful to the existing buildings and that architecture,” says Hogan. “To give Barn X drama, but also to give it its place on the site.”  

A building for people, as well as the planet   

Every aspect of Barn X has been designed with the wellbeing of its team, as well as the planet, in mind. Its spacious layout, with plenty of ventilation and natural light, features sit-stand desks so every employee can choose the most comfortable way to work.   

Every element of the building aims to help foster creativity and collaboration. “G ames design is that magical mix of technology, creativity, teamwork and artwork,” says Duncan. “So all of those things informed how we designed the space. We needed lots of room where teams can work together closely, but we also need quiet spaces and places with sound deadening. The building feels energising, creative and refreshing. It has a really nice vibe.”   

It was also a priority from the start to create a building that accommodates for neurodiversity as much as possible. All staff can adjust their desk lighting exactly as they like it, and there are spaces for them to find pockets of calm or privacy. The decor has been deliberately pitched to be calming, not overwhelming, but still to provide stimulation.   

Supporting Microsoft’s goal to be carbon negative by 2030  

Barn X embodies Microsoft’s wider commitment to being carbon negative, water positive and zero waste by 2030.   

“It’s something our team really cares about,” says Duncan. “It’s important for them to work in an e nvironment that has sustainability at its core, and to know that they work for a company on a sustainability journey.”   

Tags: rare , Xbox

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