Studio FBA - Material Change
Introduction
An architects role
In October 2018 a UN report highlighted that based on current projected levels of carbon emissions the earths mean temperature would raise to 1.5 degrees celsius above its mean temperature prior to industrialisation.
Architects can champion and specify low carbon materials but in order to make them a reality it requires a client to commit to using non-standard materials, which often creates budgetary pressure, time constraints and issues surrounding building insurance. How much pressure can an architect exert? How much responsibility should an architect take?
The report stated that this temperature rise would lead to catastrophic increases in sea levels and increasing extreme weather events. In May another UN report warned that that one million animal and plant species are at risk of extinction due to human activity related to pollution and carbon emissions. In May 2019, 17 architecture studios, all former winners of the Stirling Prize, signed a pledge for collective action towards the climate and biodiversity emergencies. On their website, the group stated that “The twin crises of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss are the most serious issues of our time”.
The built environment currently accounts for 40 percent of the UK’s carbon emissions according to the UK Green Building Council. The actions proposed by Architects Declare include the use of low carbon materials, reducing construction waste and upgrading existing buildings to make them more carbon efficient. The Architects Declare initiative is a stepping off point for this year’s studio.
The reality of architectural practice is that in order to afford to pay us, our clients projects need to generate an income. There is almost always an economic influence on a project and architects have to balance economic requirements with their design output and any ethical position on issues such as Climate Change. Architects can design to reduce construction waste, but can rarely have influence on contractors to practically adhere to such requirements, given the way that fees and contracts are structured. The reuse of existing buildings does give us an opportunity to reduce embodied energy, but new buildings will always be required. London’s population has grown 7.5% in just five years. The UK as a whole has grown by 3.7% over this period, or 3.2% excluding London. New buildings, homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure will always be required and architects we hope will have a significant role to play.
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