Group 46

As a collective, we believe that the climate emergency should be addressed at the earliest stages of architectural education, in order to allow students to practice sustainable theories, methodologies and technologies before entering practice. The RIBA publishes information on the climate emergency - but is it being targeted at the correct audience within the industry? By being made aware of the climate emergency in architectural education, the industry would benefit long-term as those graduates would implement their knowledge into their architectural practices and building projects.

As a group of aspiring architects, we are aware of some of the processes and methodologies which could positively contribute to the climate emergency within the built environment. Examples include: building re-use, material re-use, sustainable materials [locally sourced and/or renewable] and renewable building systems.

Offsite Construction

One of the aims of this project was to achieve an offsite solution that would still maintain the integrity and required performance standard of the original school design. Due to the dimensional site and time constraints, the modular prefabrication method has been used to construct classroom and workshop spaces in order to reduce the need of labour on-site and complete the project within an efficient timeline. The project has been completed in 2006 by Foster and Partners, with the Elliott's major projects team leading the modular construction works.

Oakwood Timber Tower

is a conceptual proposal by PLP Architecture in collaboration with the University of Cambridge that can create over 1,000 new residential units in Central London, UK.

The proposed building is mostly made from cross-laminated timber, or CLT. The most obvious benefit of using timber as a structural material is that it is a renewable resource, unlike prevailing construction methods which use concrete and steel. Other potential benefits include reduced costs and faster construction due to high degree of prefabrication. Recent research also shows that timber buildings have significant positive effects on their user’s health and wellbeing.

Some people believe that wood in construction is going to revolutionise buildings just like steel, glass and concrete revolutionised buildings in the 20th century.

This precedent showcases that high-rise structures can be built more sustainably and counteract the climate emergency by using renewable resources in construction.

Building Re-Use

One of London’s most famous examples of adaptive re-use is the Tate Modern by Swiss architecture firms Herzog & de Meuron. A clear example of the adaptive reuse within the Tate Modern is the Turbine Hall. The Turbine Hall previously would have housed components vital to the generation of electricity. As part of the adaptive reuse, the hall was stripped down to the brick and steel structure. The Turbine Hall now serves as the primary entrance to the museum, as well as a space for installations.

Recycled Materials

An example of building materials being recycled is Clay Roof House in Malaysia, where roof tiles from a dilapidated house were repurposed on the facade. In the new design, they swivel freely on metal poles which reduces solar gain, increases ventilation and creates a pattern over the building when the lights are on in the evening.

Telca Home

The Tecla houses facade formed from the successive and gradual 3D printing technology invertedly bio-mimicks shells and nests. This is fitting as many sea creatures use the 'conch' as a home.