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Homogenous. Boring. Bulky. Ugly.

These are some of the characterizations Athenians use to describe the buildings in which they live. The famous polykatoikia is a multi-housing apartment block whose name derives from poly, meaning many, and katoikia, meaning residence. This dominant morphological form has shaped Athens’ architectural identity since the early 20th century.

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In 1933, a group of architects, theoreticians and artists boarded the ship Patris II to travel from Marseille to Athens to carry out the CIAM IV Conference (Congrès Internationaux d’Architecture Moderne) titled “the Functional City”. Le Corbusier (architect), Fernand Léger (artist), Christian Zervos (art critic) and Siegfried Giedion (architectural historian) irreversibly shaped the future of Athens’s built environment by advocating and promoting the modernist movement, thus inspiring Greek architects to produce the first designs of the Athenian Polykatoikia.

Until the 1950s, polykatoikias slowly overshadowed the many two-story neoclassical houses that stood as the predominant form of residence throughout the city. However, in the late 1950s, following the devastating losses of the Second World War and the Greek Civil War, large parts of the population were leaving the countryside to migrate to the country’s capital in search of a better life. Consequently, the need for housing in Athens grew exponentially, and a new law, antiparochi, was created that changed the trajectory of the city’s urban layout forever. The law of antiparochi allowed landowners to exchange their plots for ownership of some of the apartments in the new polykatoikia constructed on their land, resulting in the erection of countless polykatoikia buildings in record time.

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The positive effects of antiparochi were that the people from the countryside managed to find not only homes but also jobs in the construction industry. However, throughout the polykatoikia bloom, which mostly took place during the 1950s through to the 1980s, most of the buildings were not designed and materialized by architects but rather by contractors, who would relentlessly copy the basic morphological features, leading to the production of many uninspiring, identical multi-housing units. As a result only a few architectural “gems” can be found in a sea of repetitive concrete blocks. Furthermore, due to the rapid construction, any attempt for proper urban planning practices could simply not keep up and, as a result, polykatoikias were above the control of building regulations and often situated in areas without any proper infrastructure.

If a person asks a present-day Athenian whether they find their city beautiful, the most likely response would be “No.” The aspiration of an Athens filled with neoclassical buildings, which was initially brought to the city by western European philhellenes, is a recurring 21st century dream. Nevertheless, this was not the case for the 1950s “modern” housewife. The polykatoikia introduced a functional way of living, filled with new amenities that were unprecedented at that time. People who lived in neoclassical houses had no immediate access to water, no preinstalled heating system and often had to go outside to use the bathroom facilities. The carefully decorated and carved façades, although beautiful and somewhat reminiscent of the (glorious) ancient Greek past, did not satisfy the needs of the 20th century Athenian.

Torre della Nostlagia by 314 architecture studio, Athens, Greece

Furthermore, the polykatoikia introduced a new social organization. For the first time in history, wealthy and poor were living in the same building and neighborhood. In a typical polykatoikia, the ground floor would most likely be a shop, a café, a restaurant or a bar, then the first couple of floors would be occupied by the lower social classes while the upper floors would house wealthier families; in fact, in later years some apartments would be turned into workspaces and, more recently, Airbnbs. This groundbreaking and totally spontaneous functional and social organization resulted in a city that seams homogenous but is actually the complete opposite: it is a vibrant built environment that truly never sleeps.

Residential building by Kordas Architects, Athens, Greece

Still, almost 50 years have passed since the glorious days of the polykatoikia and it is time to reflect once more. Athens is currently facing an array of predominantly environmental problems, where a concrete “carpet” has covered entirely the natural landscape of the Attica basin. Amidst the concrete there are almost no green spaces, the existing rivers flow underground and Athens has become the hottest city in Europe. Fortunately, the “mix” of social classes has been preserved however, the growing tourist waves and golden visa initiatives are threatening housing for the four-million Athenians, who continue to live in polykatoikias in need of urgent restoration in both their interior and exterior.

35 sqm Micro-apartment by Oikonomakis Siampakoulis architects, Athens, Greece

So, what happens next? In a city that has been dominated by such a strong architectural typology, how can contemporary architects push this identity forward, tackling present-day challenges while preserving all the positive aspects of the polykatoikia? Projects with green balconies and roofs, sustainable cladding materials and designs that strive for an A+ ranking in energy efficiency are slowly improving the urban fabric. Some architects also claim that certain demolition works are unavoidable to free up space for planting and public use. Throughout this article, the actual architecture of the polykatoikia is not discussed but rather its wider social, political, economic and environmental implications. True, its simple, clean, modernist form is perhaps what allowed it to multiply in such a fast pace. Still, the most important initiative for architects would be to collectively research, gather and respond to the 2024 needs of the Greek capital and I am positive that the evolution of the Athenian architectural identity will follow.

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Top image: Marylinalcyonova, Building Density beneath Lycabettus Hill in Athens Greece 01, CC BY-SA 4.0

The post The Complicated Case of Polykatoikia, Athens’ Famous Postwar Apartment Blocks appeared first on Journal.

Architizer is thrilled to announce the world' best architecture firms in 2024, all winners of the 12th Annual A+Awards! Want to get your firm in the running next season? Stay up to date by subscribing to our A+Awards Newsletter. 

“Frameless” is the UK’s largest permanent multi-sensory art experience. In 1928, the Regal, one of the country’s most renowned cinemas, opened in Marble Arch in central London. Following WWII, the building reopened as Odeon movie theatre and in 2016, it became a mixed-use residential development with a very large (and empty) basement, initially intended to be converted yet into another cinema. Instead, the space was eventually transformed into four galleries, showcasing some of the world’s greatest works of art in the most innovative and immersive way possible.

Visitors experience the works of Dali, Monet, Kandinsky and van Gogh literally from the inside: they are not mere observers but rather stand within the art that envelops them, able to see, experience, and to some extent interact with the paintings’ tiniest details, while listening to carefully crafted soundscapes. The four galleries, Beyond Reality, Color in Motion, the World Around Us and the Art of Abstraction, recreate, through a series of projections, famous paintings from surrealism to impressionism and abstraction, and redefine what a traditional art gallery should be.

As an architect, I can’t help but wonder what sort of construction expertise and technology was required in order to materialize such complicated and large scale project. According to project manager James Griffiths, construction commenced in October 2021 and was completed in the impressive timeframe of only nine months. The three primary design principles of the project included: constructing a “narrative of materials”, having as little environmental impact as possible and operating “Frameless” with renewable energy.

According to project architect Angus Pond, different bases such as stone, metal, glass and fabrics were used to ‘create an environment that combines utilitarian functionality with a sense of glamor and even theatrical overtones.’ In parallel, the construction team found innovative techniques to reuse as much of the materials found on site and eventually power the venue by using 93% renewable energy. After the interior shell of the space was constructed, an impressive amount fifty 3-Chip DPL laser projectors were installed, delivering 479 million pixels and 1 million lumens of brightness and vivid colors, clearly depicting every brushstroke and splash of paint, and were complimented by 158 loudspeakers that emanated 360-degree surround sound.

Similarly to how artists throughout the centuries sought to bring their dreams, nightmares and myths into reality, “frameless” is a type of architecture that merges spatial technology, design and construction in order to transport the people living in reality to imaginary worlds. The project is an example of immersive architecture, proving that even though there is an array of implementation challenges, it is not impossible to create real-world “phygital” (physical and digital) environments.

Immersive architecture is most likely found in art and exhibition as well as entertainment venues, retail and commercial stores and public spaces, and has gradually become an integral part of the discipline, where carefully curated imagery, light, sounds and textures create impactful experiences that surpass traditional spatial design. Brand flagship stores often integrate interactive displays or creative lighting and acoustic solutions to “connect” the customer with their products. Installations in public spaces react to environmental changes, the time of the day and even to individual users, while performance spaces utilize projectors and surround sound to deliver state-of-the-art experiences.

Jewel Changi Airport by RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, Singapore

Still, what is so beneficial about this concept of hybrid reality and immersive architecture? Apart from the fact that spaces will continuously become a lot more personalized to each individual, by adding more “ingredients” to architectural design – such as sound, touch and even smell – space becomes more exciting. It is not by chance that such design methods are primarily used for producing entertainment and storytelling experiences since these uses require a person’s utmost attention in order to be successful.

Nevertheless, they point the way to an architecture that prioritizes emotion over function and creates environments that resonate on a deeper, more intuitive level with those who inhabit them. What if we could then extend this approach to hospitals, schools and even transportation facilities? Ultimately, the benefit of immersive architecture and hybrid reality lies in their ability to humanize spaces, making them more aligned with our emotional and sensory needs.

Architizer is thrilled to announce the world' best architecture firms in 2024, all winners of the 12th Annual A+Awards! Want to get your firm in the running next season? Stay up to date by subscribing to our A+Awards Newsletter. 

Featured image generated by Architizer on Midjourney

The post “Frameless”: The Architecture of Immersive Art Experiences appeared first on Journal.

The jury and the public have had their say — feast your eyes on the winners of Architizer's 12th Annual A+Awards. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive future program updates.

With an estimated 2.5 billion people living within 62 miles (100 kilometers) of a coastline, rising sea levels pose a significant risk to human settlements. Traditional land reclamation methods are becoming increasingly unsustainable and environmentally damaging, thus sparking innovative solutions for water-based habitats that are both resilient as well as sustainable. The idea of a floating structure has been carried out as an architectural experiment in many instances. Especially in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Seattle, which are in immediate contact with the water, projects such as floating homes, bridges and piers are gradually becoming the norm.

One rather unusual example is the Floating Farm Dairy in Rotterdam by Goldsmith. It is a compact triple-stacked structure housing 40 dairy cows floating in the city harbor of the M4H development zone. The floating farm is an agricultural building based on nautical principles. As a result, its functional organization and use of materials are carefully selected. All heavy structural and technical functions are situated in the submerged part of the building, while the more lightweight components are placed on top. Concrete pontoons house the production of fruits, shielding them from the rain, while translucent polycarbonate is used for the façade.

Floating Farm Dairy by Goldsmith, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Reflecting upon the Floating Farm Dairy, the core principle of floating structures is modularity. This design allows for scalability and flexibility, enabling buildings, and potentially, large scale cities to grow organically based on the needs of their inhabitants. In the case of an urban planning strategy, the modules cease to be structural or functional components and are transformed in residential, commercial or in this case industrial proposals. In parallel, by integrating green spaces and urban farms within a city’s functional grid, these new structures provide fresh produce as well as help in regulating temperatures and improving air quality.

Another controversial structure is the Floating House by MOS Architects in Canada. It is part of a master plan of five proposed cabins based on the repetition of a standardized vernacular archetype. Due to the fact that a traditional on-site construction process would have been expensive and quite damaging to the island, the 2,200-square-f00t house was built on a steel pontoon structure near the lake shore. More accurately, it was assembled in a contractor’s shop and eventually towed and anchored to the site, where the final installations were carried out. The exterior cladding comprises of an inventive cedar rainscreen for the walls and roof, providing sufficient air flow within the house.

Floating House by MOS Architects, Canada

Floating house demonstrates that using lightweight, durable, and eco-friendly materials is crucial for building on water. For example, innovations in materials science, such as timber or polycarbonate screens can provide the necessary strength while reducing weight. At the same time, off-site assemblies increase the chances of a more robust as well as zero-carbon construction process.

Finally, the project Floating Islands of Sky by unarchitecte in Chengdu, China, is a pontoon bridge that floats on the surface of the water acting as a crossing between two pieces of land. Numerous challenges such as low-cost construction, a ten-year lifecycle expectancy as well as the varying changes in water level had to be addressed. As a result, steel cables were used to secure the floating bridges to the bottom of the lake, while a series of partially perforated and water-permeable hydrophilic areas were designed in order to deal with the issue of buoyancy. The final design, consisted of seven islands in different sizes, covered in lush vegetation that included spaces for fishing as well as picnic and resting areas. The paths in-between these hexagonal artificial islands are made of planks controlled by air cushions that respond to the changing water levels.

Floating Islands of Sky by unarchitecte, Chengdu, China

The three projects display various innovative design methods with structural and environmental techniques that prove that floating structures are a very real possibility and not just a vision of a sci-fi future. As climate change accelerates, rising sea levels threaten coastal cities worldwide, putting millions at risk of displacement and thus urging architects to conduct further water-based building experiments. And yet, an ethical point arises, where overbuilding is what is currently causing the myriads of environmental changes happening to our planet, including the gradual flooding of coastal regions. Is it therefore the answer to resort to additional buildings — this time situated on water — in order to respond to this challenge? In other words, humans have already covered the land; wouldn’t then building on water become equally catastrophic for our future?

Contrary to soil and land, the water is much less unforgiving; it requires further study and consideration in terms of structural stability as well as what functions are truly necessary, instead of the ones that are, in fact, merely desired. Water harvesting, food production and energy are also harder to control. Consequently, “floating cities” is an architectural scenario much more sensitive to the world’s ecosystem, which not only responds to the impending crisis of rising waters but could even reverse the damage and impact of our current building philosophy.

The jury and the public have had their say — feast your eyes on the winners of Architizer's 12th Annual A+Awards. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive future program updates.

Featured Image: Floating Farm Dairy by Goldsmith, Rotterdam, Netherlands

The post Head Above the Water: Today’s Blueprints for Building Tomorrow’s Floating Cities appeared first on Journal.

Ema is a trained architect, writer and photographer who works as a Junior Architect at REX in NYC. Inspired by her global experiences, she shares captivating insights into the world’s most extraordinary cities and buildings and provides travel tips on her blog, The Travel Album.

Most of us are familiar with pre-ordering books, movies, clothing items and devices — paying in advance to secure one of the newest and most sought-after versions of that item. In the ever-evolving world of real estate, the concept of pre-selling residential units has gained significant traction. Developers often market and sell units based on detailed renderings and visualizations before the building is even constructed. This practice has become a staple in the industry, providing benefits to both developers and early investors. However, it also poses risks and challenges that buyers must consider. This article explores the trend of pre-selling residential units, showcasing select examples that demonstrate the compelling power of renderings and their impact on buyers.

Would you consider purchasing a condo years before it’s built, based solely on attractive renderings and the promise of a great building with no physical structure to inspect? What about the experience of seeing, touching, and even smelling your home before making such a significant purchase? How can you be certain that everything promised will be delivered?

The Concept of Pre-Selling

Pre-selling refers to the practice of selling residential units before the completion of construction. This approach allows developers to secure necessary funding, gauge market interest and mitigate financial risks. Buyers, on the other hand, often benefit from lower pre-construction prices and the opportunity to customize their units. However, purchasing a property based on renderings involves inherent risks, such as potential changes in design, construction delays, and discrepancies between the promised and delivered product.

I’ve seen projects unable to start construction until a certain percentage of units are pre-sold, ensuring significant interest before breaking ground. But I have always wondered, what makes people so drawn to this concept? Typically, buildings in a big pre-sale phase are high-end and brand-new with many perks, great locations and extensive amenities. This makes them attractive, hence the marketing and early sales strategy. Perhaps it’s the notion that you’re making a valuable real estate investment in something exclusive, with the potential risk of it selling out, or becoming more expensive if you wait. The allure of such an incredible building, combined with the fear of missing out, drives people to commit early to secure their place. Financial incentives, such as pre-sale discounts, flexible payment plans and customization options, further entice buyers. A well-established legal and financial framework, including escrow accounts and buyer protections, enhances buyer confidence. These conditions and tactics make pre-construction investments more appealing and convincing.

The Role of Renderings

Renderings are crucial in any architectural project for selling the client on the design. Without the ability to visualize the design, the project is less likely to succeed or sell. In real estate marketing, every interested party is a potential client, making renderings invaluable. They provide potential buyers with a tangible vision of the future property, helping them visualize the finished project and feel more comfortable investing in something yet to be built. High-quality renderings can highlight unique architectural elements, create emotional connections and build buyer confidence. Renderings have the power to evoke strong emotions, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, sometimes even filled with families to create a sense of togetherness. They can successfully illustrate the potential of the lifestyle you could enjoy if you were to live there. That’s why they are especially crucial in competitive markets, where standing out from other developments is essential.

Advanced technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), are also being integrated into the marketing strategies, offering immersive experiences that further enhance the appeal of pre-sold units. Showrooms, sales galleries and model units provide a tangible sense of the design, materials, and finishes. Exclusive launch events and private previews generate excitement and urgency, while strong branding and compelling storytelling emphasize the lifestyle, community, and unique selling points of the project.

Highly Successful Pre-Sale Buildings

Several high-profile projects have successfully used renderings to pre-sell units, demonstrating the power of visualizations in real estate marketing. I would like to explore three notable examples:

1. 520 Fifth Avenue by Kohn Peterson Fox (KPF), New York City, New York

520 Fifth Avenue by Kohn Peterson Fox (KPF), New York City, New York| Amenities Renderings by Binyan Studios

520 Fifth Avenue stands out as one of the most remarkable success stories in pre-sales, having sold over 50% of its units just three months after launch. It is on pace to become the fastest-selling condominium of 2024. This kind of traffic and interest is something that hasn’t been seen since before the pandemic, and likely can be attributed to its prime location just north of Bryant Park and its impressive 1,000-foot height that will make it the tallest residential building on Fifth Avenue.

Slated for completion in 2026, the architectural design showcased through stunning visualizations, offers a contemporary twist on Beaux-Arts style. The sales team at 520 Fifth Avenue notes that buyers are acting with urgency and are keen to purchase full floor plans. They believe that this demand is driven by a shortage of quality inventory, combined with the project’s appealing pricing, prime location and exceptional construction quality. The limited availability of high-quality options on the market has spurred interest, positioning this development as a highly attractive investment well before its completion.

2. 50 West 66th Street by Snøhetta, New York City, New York

50 West 66th Street by Snøhetta, New York City, New York | Renderings by Recent Spaces

Also over 50% sold, the pre-sales success of 50 West 66th Street can be attributed to its status as the tallest building on the Upper West Side, reaching 775 feet, and its prime location near Central Park and Lincoln Center. Designed by Snøhetta, this 70-story skyscraper offers residences with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, Central Park, and the Hudson River. In fact, this building represents Snøhetta’s first residential project in the United States, lending it distinctive architectural significance given the firm’s renowned reputation.

The building’s two residence collections—The House, with pre-war elegance, and The Tower, with modern glass-walled designs—cater to different tastes. The limited availability of new construction in the Upper West Side area, combined with the project’s architectural significance and prime location, has driven strong demand. Buyers have been eager to secure a home in this landmark building, ensuring a high quality of living in one of Manhattan’s most desirable neighborhoods. The renderings of this property excel at showcasing not only the building itself but also the surrounding views and cityscape, giving you a vivid sense of what living there would be like.

3. The Perigon Miami Beach by OMA, Miami, Florida

The Perigon Miami Beach by OMA, Miami, Florida | Renderings by The Boundary 

With construction well underway and scheduled for completion in 2026, The Perigon Miami Beach has stood out in the pre-sales phase due to its prime location that offers unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay and Miami’s skyline. Designed by architects OMA, its position and location has fulfilled the need for a new tower in mid-beach. There has been overwhelming interest, with 70% of domestic buyers affirming the strength and quality of the design and the appeal of the larger residences. Additionally, there has been significant interest from foreign buyers, including those from Canada.

The strategic mid-beach location, combined with the building’s offerings and meticulous design, makes The Perigon a highly sought-after property. Buyers are motivated to pre-purchase units to secure a prestigious address in one of Miami’s most luxurious developments, anticipating both lifestyle benefits and potential value appreciation. The building’s renderings not only effectively sell the property and its units but, in my opinion, also successfully promote the city and what it has to offer. They showcase warm, inviting tones, expansive water views, brightly lit and welcoming spaces, and a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living, all of which are highly appealing.

Images as a Powerful Tool

Several key factors contribute to buyers’ confidence in investing in properties still under construction. Some of these include the developer’s reputation, the property’s location, and the development’s position within a rapidly growing area. Additionally, setting the right price for a building or unit requires comprehensive market analysis, cost evaluation, and a clear understanding of the project’s value proposition.

But above all else, in my opinion, the most impactful factor is the quality of the renderings created and the story behind the way they are being presented. Images have a powerful way of grabbing attention. People naturally gravitate toward the most visually appealing object or image in a room. Crafting an effective rendering goes beyond the skill of the visual artist; it involves a nuanced blend of trust, strategic marketing, understanding diverse audiences, delivering on promises and addressing what people truly want. Understanding the factors that drive buyer confidence and employing effective strategies can lead to successful pre-sales, while developers must manage expectations and ensure the final product meets or exceeds initial promises to maintain credibility and achieve long-term success.

Future Trends in Pre-Selling and Real Estate Marketing

The future of pre-selling in real estate looks promising, with emerging technologies poised to revolutionize the process. VR and AR are becoming more prevalent, allowing buyers to explore properties in an immersive environment before they are built. These technologies can provide a more accurate representation of the final product, reducing the gap between expectations and reality. Developers and architects who leverage these innovations can enhance their marketing strategies and improve buyer satisfaction. While the decision remains significant and demands careful consideration and thorough research for a successful investment, it’s expected that as technology advances and marketing strategies evolve, pre-selling practices will become increasingly common and sophisticated.

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The post Buying on a Promise: The Powerful New Role of Renderings in Real Estate Marketing appeared first on Journal.

This interview was conducted by Lisa Richmond. Architecture 2030’s mission is to rapidly transform the built environment from a major emitter of greenhouse gases to a central source of solutions to the climate crisis. For 20 years, the nonprofit has provided leadership and designed actions toward this shift and a healthy future for all.

Build Change is a global leader in systems change for resilient housing. The public benefit corporation coordinates engineers, builders, coders, policy advocates and lending partners to provide urgently needed housing solutions in the world’s most disaster-prone countries. Shifting power to families since 2004, Build Change has safeguarded over $4.7 billion in housing infrastructure assets across Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia-Pacific, improving the lives of over 1.17 million people by building new or retrofitting more than 230,000 buildings at the cost of $58 per safer person.

Architecture 2030’s Lisa Richmond caught up with Ariana Karamallis, Build Change’s Global Advocacy and Development Associate, to talk about what they do and what’s ahead in the work towards community resilience in the context of climate change.

Photo of a home being retrofitted courtesy of Build Change

Lisa Richmond: Build Change designs disaster-resilient housing and schools in developing nations and changes construction practices and regulations to promote safer buildings. When and why did you add climate change and decarbonization as topline considerations in your work?

Ariana Karamallis: At our core, Build Change is about shifting power to those most affected by natural disasters. Beyond designing housing and schools, we transform systems for regulating, financing, building and improving informal housing across the Global South. Retrofitting existing housing has been a core piece of our work since the 2010 Haiti earthquake, when we saw the opportunity to retrofit damaged buildings to produce safe, permanent housing more quickly. Since then, buildings in Nepal, the Philippines, Colombia and beyond have been strengthened at a fraction of the cost of building new.

Retrofitting is not just an investment in a building but in a community and the people that live there. By retrofitting somebody’s existing house, they get to retain a meaningful asset. Most of our retrofitting work includes habitability improvements – ventilation, improved lighting, improved water and sanitation. Sometimes it includes the addition of a second story, adding space and income generating opportunities through rental units or home based businesses. We have emotional connections to our homes as well. In cases where the alternative may be relocating, there are a lot of social and economic benefits to people getting to stay where they live.

Decarbonization entered the picture for us a bit more recently. Over the last few years we began to ask ourselves if we could quantify the environmental benefits of retrofitting. Our research applied established methods for calculating emissions associated with building materials and construction to our housing improvement programs. This work culminated last year with the publication of Saving Embodied Carbon through Strengthening Existing Housing, providing compelling evidence that improving existing housing significantly avoids carbon emissions. We estimate there’s an opportunity to save 4.8 gigatons of CO2 emissions globally while addressing the more than 268 million inadequate houses.

Photo of a Colombia site visit courtesy of Build Change

LR: Most of the growth in global floor area over the next few decades will occur in the rapidly developing regions where Build Change works, places where growth is necessary to meet the basic needs of growing populations. Your work is trying to meet basic needs while staying within our planetary boundaries. How does Build Change think about balancing these two imperatives?

AK: We have to view this through a justice lens. Globally, those who contributed the least to the climate crisis are those most vulnerable to its impacts. We cannot compromise on delivering resilient housing, clean water, safe sanitation services and access to safe schools and hospitals. Nor should these communities pay the price of living, working or learning in buildings that are less resilient.

Luckily, retrofitting offers a practical solution. Millions of people worldwide do not need a new home, they need a disaster-resilient home. By improving existing unsafe housing, we can build less while addressing the needs of those lacking these basics.

Of course, there are some people for whom retrofitting is not an option. For the millions living in homes too informal to retrofit, new homes will have to be built, most likely incrementally by the residents themselves. In these cases, we must ensure that all those in the housing value chain are equipped to build resilient homes, ensuring durable buildings that reduce waste.

Photo of a retrofitted home courtesy of Build Change

LR: Your research reports emphasize the lack of hard data around embodied carbon, particularly in the Global South. Why is that data important, and what are some strategies to make it more standardized and readily available?

AK: Lack of hard data around embodied carbon in existing, informally built housing is one of the major challenges in undertaking housing improvement projects or retrofits, especially in the Global South. Life cycle assessments (LCAs) in these settings should be standardized and publicly reported to assess the relative benefits of different housing programs, for both post-disaster and preventative strengthening. Good data can serve as a useful resource for publicly funded projects to demonstrate the environmental impacts. This can also make it easier for investors into privately owned housing to demonstrate the overall positive impact of the investment.

Photo of a brick maker in Indonesia courtesy of Build Change

LR: You work extensively in the informal economy, where much of the housing is self-built. Does vernacular architecture model useful technology to accelerate climate action?

AK: In many contexts, informal, self-built housing has already been adapted for local culture and climate, using building materials that are locally available. This generally reduces costs and takes into consideration historic climate conditions such as heat.

However, with rising rates of urbanization, some of these methods have been lost, while others require structural reinforcements to provide added safety. We can invest a small amount of embodied carbon in strengthening and improving these homes, to prevent a complete loss of embodied carbon should that home be reduced to a pile of rubble during an earthquake, blown away in a windstorm, or converted to greenhouse gasses during a fire.

Build Change advocates for small changes to existing ways of building using locally available materials and commonly preferred architecture. One example is Nepal. They’ve been able to use quite a bit of the traditional masonry techniques and technology and reinforce that to make the homes disaster resilient.

Photo of a home courtesy of Build Change

LR: Architecture 2030 has seen you in action at the UN Climate Summits (COPs), advocating for changes to the way we build. How is the COP process a lever for policy change?

AK: The next decade will be critical in addressing gaps in climate commitments. With the next round of updates to Paris Agreement Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) due in 2025, the moment is ripe for integrating ambitious goals into climate planning. Governments should include housing upgrades within their national climate plans, as well as provisions for building code upgrades. 

Retrofitting existing housing is an adaptation strategy as the impacts of climate change become more frequent and acute.  From the mitigation side, strengthening existing housing saves embodied carbon.  If you look at Africa as one example, there are millions of needed homes that either don’t yet exist or are inadequate. If we can retrofit some of those rather than build new, the embodied carbon savings will be immense. 

Photo of construction work in Haiti courtesy of Design Build

Lisa Richmond, Hon. AIA, is a Senior Fellow with Architecture 2030 and a thought leader on climate and the built environment. Through Climate Strategy Works, Lisa supports clients in strategic planning, concept development, strategic communication and brand positioning within the UNFCCC global climate dialogues. She was a delegate and speaker at three recent UN climate summits: COP26 in Glasgow, COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh and COP28 in Dubai.

The jury and the public have had their say — feast your eyes on the winners of Architizer's 12th Annual A+Awards. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive future program updates.

The post The Future of Architecture: Changing How Housing Is Built in the World’s Most Disaster-Prone Countries appeared first on Journal.