The three-part Knowledge Product Collection “Building for the Future” presents a new vision of architecture and building that is more than just sustainable. Its goal is to not only avoid, but actually absorb greenhouse gas emissions.
Highlighting solutions that enable future human development while mitigating climate change is a focus of the Toni Piëch Foundation, which is why it has supported Bauhaus Earth in creating its new whitepaper “Building for the Future”. Bauhaus Earth is a collaborative ecosystem of experts who rethink concepts of architecture and urban planning, striving to offer practical solutions to the challenges of the climate crisis. Now Bauhaus Earth has published the first series of its new project “Building for the Future”, called “Setting the Frame”, which presents crucial facts and figures about the built environment as a major contributor to the climate crisis and introduces the vision of a regenerative built environment. To gain a deeper understanding of how to put the concept of a regenerative built environment into action, the second series will delve into the scale of regenerative buildings, neighbourhoods and cities, as well as regions. It will provide an overview of key developments, concepts, and potential courses of action.
The first series of “Building for the Future” consists of three parts that are available for download below.
The built environment today contributes almost 40% to global carbon emissions, 60% to resource consumption and 50% to the generation of waste. Part 1 evaluates dozens of studies to define the challenges of architecture and construction today.
The second part of “Building for the Future” presents seven levers to foster a functioning built environment. Using traditional techniques, circular concepts and bio-based materials such as wood, straw or bamboo, architects and urban planners can create buildings and cities that can even absorb carbon.
To give more natural resources back than it takes out, a new built environment needs to be climate-positive, energy-efficient and infused with nature, integrating trees, planted roofs and other green spaces. This approach can turn not just buildings but whole communities into carbon sinks that are healthy and pleasant for humans to live in – for generations to come.
The Toni Piëch Foundation thanks Bauhaus Earth for its important insights and makes all three parts available for download for free, hoping to contribute to a debate about how architecture can help communities live with – or even reverse – the results of global warming in the future.