The speed with which we have disconnected from nature is alarming. That disconnect seems to be attached to a notion that all resources and natural systems are common goods, readily available to tender to the increasing demands that we humans might have, which have far surpassed our present-day needs for existence and thriving. The consequences of such attitudes and perspectives are tangible. For the first time we collectively see, feel, and suffer from the effects of an environmental multi-crisis. The built environment is obviously a massive contributor to global warming emissions,[1] and it permeates every aspect of human life. It is perhaps because built spaces are so connected to our existence that reflecting on their inherent flaws in relation to the world’s health is so difficult. Architects and planners, however, must consider these structures from the very beginning of their creation process. What some might see as a privilege and a testament to the worthiness of the profession actually entails massive responsibility. The famous views of the Austrian designer Victor Papanek remain as relevant as ever: “[the designer] must analyze the past as well as the foreseeable future consequences of his acts.”[2]
Despite the significance of the discussion above, and its grounding in relevant concerns shared by (almost) every human, one should not aim to assign blame, or to foster even more environmental despair. This issue of GAM was conceived in an attempt to identify revolutionary and solution-oriented initiatives. The reality is that all actors involved in construction activities should feel compelled to propose bold changes and perspectives, contributing to a completely new interpretation of “building,” as opposed to solely focusing on damage reduction and control. But to rethink design in a way that allows for reconnection with natural environments is a fundamental question that requires deep reflection. How does one reevaluate the long-standing boundaries between man-made spaces and nature? The notion of reestablishing natural rhythms in urban life, keeping societies in tune with “the way the wind flows,”[3] as phrased by Chrisna du Plessis, has been ridiculed or dismissed in typical academic circles for too long—to our own demise. While the reader won’t find a clear-cut, one-size-fits-all solution to the environmental crisis on the following pages, they can expect honest contemplation on the interaction between built and natural spaces, integrating Indigenous wisdom that has so often been ignored.
This GAM issue is divided into four main chapters. In the first, entitled “Contemplating,” an eye-opening interview with the Brazilian philosopher and Indigenous leader Ailton Krenak sets the tone for the perspective one should adopt while reading the following chapters. The interview, conducted by Romullo Baratto, introduces Krenak’s oeuvre, which is grounded in his integrative understanding of the world, in which there are no boundaries between everything that lives in it. The thought-provoking conversation is followed by Bas Princen’s photographic essay, with images of resource extraction, exploring the interactions between earth and artifice. They focus on the friction between designed surfaces and “natural” landscape, a profound link back to Ailton’s contribution.
The following chapters provide different perspectives on the much-needed confrontation called for in this edition’s title, and in the previous chapter. In “Calculating,” Greg Foliente, Carlos Enrique Caballero-Güereca, and Nicolas Alaux guide us through state-of-the-art knowledge on science-based carbon targets and budgets that are compatible with planetary boundaries, all the while illustrating the related role and implications for the construction and real-estate sector. Ida Karlsson then illustrates an estimation of a country’s carbon budget by identifying important actors and their role in achieving drastic carbon reduction in construction.
The subsequent chapter, titled “Building,” is composed of practice proposals that stimulate a change in perspective and confirm that alternative building approaches can make an impact on different levels. Ana María Durán Calisto shares a sincerely inspiring example showcasing regenerative design at its best: Yuyarina Pacha, a multi-use library at the heart of a “chakra” in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Conceived from the outset as an integrated, living part of the local area, the library was built upon a deep comprehension of the balance between community and the ecosystem’s needs and resources. Guillaume Habert, Verena Göswein, Olga Beatrice Carcassi and Francesco Pittau follow, advocating for a “material diet” inspired by the nutrition pyramid, which sheds light on an innovative and environmentally promising way to interpret material selection in design. Then, Monica Lavagna, Bernardette Soust-Verdaguer, Elisabetta Palumbo, and Antonio García Martínez analyze different design strategies in Mediterranean regions, inspired by the tradition of vernacular architecture, while still equipped to meet the needs of the future when it comes to facing environmental challenges. Philippe Rahm shares different insights into projects where new principles of architectural composition derive from the ultimate aim of reducing operational energy consumption. Guided by physical notions of energy transfer, his designs question traditional perceptions of thermal comfort, alluding to the potential reduction in environmental impact that could materialize through a simple cultural shift in individual behavior. Klaus K. Loenhart shows, through the case study of the Grüne Erde Headquarters, how bio-meteorological design works, establishing nature-based solutions for architectural design.
Finally, the last chapter in this edition is entitled “Guiding”—in recognition of the important role played by educational institutions and professional associations in providing the tools for a massive shift in perspective. Alice Moncaster opens the chapter by exploring the role of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in promoting environmental sustainability among architects, highlighted by the RIBA program “Horizons 2034: The Environmental Challenge.”
Vanessa Gomes and Matt Roberts follow, discussing the necessary shift in architecture teaching, demonstrated through current pedagogical experiences in the United States and Brazil, and proposals for future teaching strategies. Stefano Corbo shares insights from “Resilience-by-Design,” a pedagogical model implemented in the Faculty of Architecture at Delft University of Technology, within the Public Building Group. Last but not least, Sabine Hansmann discusses a pedagogical approach to sociomaterial aspects in architecture. She reflects not only on how educators can improve students’ understanding of the role of architecture in the wider ecological system, but also how to equip them with tools to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable built environment.
In closing, there is no blueprint that could guide us toward environmental revolution. The fact that this edition has received numerous contributions illustrating ideas with a pedagogical background might hint to the importance of revisited formative structures as a foundation for the altered interpretation of what a “building” is or should be. The absence of clear-cut answers to the latter issue should be seen as a stimulus. The unknown might bring despair, but the possibilities are countless. Just as long as we acknowledge—not in mere words, nor as an advertising strategy, but instead culturally acknowledge—that “we are the medium and also the environment,” as Krenak puts it in the conversation with Romullo Baratto. The contributions published in this GAM issue show that a change is possible on all levels, and it needs to be implemented at pace and on all scales. If we do not act, change will never happen.
[1] Throughout the articles published in this edition of GAM, the reader will find different references and allusions to “carbon” and “climate.” For scientific clarity, it is important to note the differences between elementary carbon, CO2, greenhouse gases (GHG), and the climatic effect of all three. Carbon, as a chemical element, can take many forms. On these pages, when mentioned, it either refers to CO2 or GHGs. CO2 is one of the greenhouse gases that contributes to climate change, along with methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. CO2eq or CO2e is a measure used to compare the heating efficiency of each GHG, or, in other words, their contribution to climate change, which allows for a more comprehensive assessment of the impact of various emissions.
[2] Victor Papanek, Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change (New York, 1971), 107.
[3] Chrisna du Plessis, “Regenerative Cities: Co-Evolving with Our Planet,” Urbanet, February 9, 2021, accessed March 27, 2025, www.urbanet.info/co-evolving-with-planet.