How architects think and develop the built environment, determines the impact of architecture has on the climate crisis, the access to natural resources, the fundamental conditions for biodiversity and eventually the quality of life for its users.
aim to limit the temperature increase to 1,5 °C - Paris Agreement (2015)
The built environment is also part of the current challenges – a major consumer of energy and natural resources, and producer of waste. Architecture, in every scale from design to city planning and landscape, interacts with every climate goal.
We believe urbanism, architecture and landscape should contribute and serve as inspiration, urging to embrace responsible sourcing, sustainable design, and the preservation of our planet.
five climate-proof design principles
1. practice circular design
look further
Circular designing starts with a circular business model. You need to look further than the circularity of the building work itself. The entire process counts – right until the demolition. In addition, as the burden of proof is on the architect, architects need to ensure complete transparency on hidden consequences of their design, such as the carbon emissions of the design.
2. use wood and bio-based alternatives
a colossal challenge
By using wood and other bio-based alternatives, much can be gained in terms of sustainability.
The European Union (EU) aims to be climate-neutral By 2050: an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, with 68% of the world’s population predicted to live in urban areas by 2050 , it is important that we create new buildings and transform properties – especially in cities. Architects therefore face a colossal challenge.
3. combine materials and build smarter
hybrid constructions
As demonstrated by design principle 3, making a conscious choice to use wood is a good starting point. Furthermore, 100% wood construction is not always efficient or financially feasible. The advice is to combine various types of building materials. Bring together the best of several worlds to create a strong, aesthetic, and functional construction that is financially feasible.
4. give nature space
greener living environment
We are keen to build on the ecological context that already exists, with the aim of improving it. Not only by looking at what is less harmful to nature but also by searching for techniques to nurture nature. This includes for example promoting biodiversity in the design in as many ways as possible.
5. aim for ‘Paris proof’
the whole life carbon approach
As the building process and material usage also determine the CO2 impact, WRK works in accordance with the Whole Life Carbon approach. This is a framework for achieving a carbon dioxide-free construction sector and includes target dates, definitions, and practical case studies that can help the architect to achieve zero CO2 emissions during the entire service life of a building.