It is well-known that architecture contributes a significant amount to carbon emissions in the world. Almost 40% of carbon emissions come from the built environment. To break down the numbers in more detail, 27% comes from building operations, 6% from the building construction industry, and 7% from other construction industries. Policymakers from various countries have made it of utmost importance to decarbonize existing buildings and achieve zero-emission buildings. Intervention points are used to accelerate energy upgrades, including increasing energy efficiency, eliminating on-site fossil fuels, and generating and/or procuring 100% renewable energy in the built environment.
These methods represent constructive approaches for achieving buildings with zero emissions. However, they still primarily involve transitioning the built environment away from emitting carbon to preventing its production altogether. But what if we were to elevate our objective even further? What if we moved beyond the elimination of carbon production and ventured into the realm of revitalizing the built environment? We find ourselves in a pivotal juncture in human history where our impact on the environment has become increasingly evident. Among the strategies aimed at reinstating a stable climate equilibrium, the concept of rewilding stands out. Emerging as a potent approach to conservation and ecological restoration, rewilding entails allowing nature to regain its natural balance by reducing human intervention. This concept appears to offer a straightforward and uncomplicated method for rectifying the core climate imbalances.
Collaboration is the spirit of our generation. With the assistance of the internet, people can work together no matter where they are. We can collaborate with individuals of different nationalities and religions, discovering how the internet can facilitate our efforts in working collectively. The essence of collaboration extends beyond humans to the non-human realm, namely nature. This is an advantageous moment to unite our strengths in combatting climate change and addressing the issues stemming from the excessive exploitation of natural resources. Owing to the rapid pace of climate change, collaboration has evolved to a new level, encompassing relationships among humans and various species. It presents the possibility of reconnecting with nature, being attentive to our surroundings, and drawing inspiration to seek simple yet intelligent solutions for our spatial innovations. While interspecies collaboration might sound somewhat utopian, it has been demonstrated as an unconventional approach to crafting resilient projects that acknowledge the value of non-human life that has long been neglected.
A “biocentric” world that abandons anthropocentrism can serve as the foundation for the next building concept. The global building floor area is expected to double by 2060 to accommodate the largest wave of building growth in human history. From 2020 to 2060, approximately 2.6 trillion ft2 (240 billion m2) of new floor area is projected to be added to the global building stock. However, if we continue to build with a focus solely on humans, disregarding nature and other species, it will not contribute to the much-needed restoration of the environment. As climate change affects all species, the remedy lies in the collaboration between humans and nature.
Its fundamental essence, rewilding seeks to counteract the impacts of habitat loss, dwindling species populations, and ecosystem deterioration. This is achieved by allowing nature to reclaim its innate spaces and processes. This movement signifies a bold departure from conventional systematic conservation practices and instead embraces a restorative concept of coexistence with flourishing natural landscapes. Inspired by initiatives aligned with the UN’s Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, spanning from 2021 to 2030, numerous countries including Ireland, Sweden, Nigeria, Australia, India, Chile, the USA, and Indonesia have embarked on rewilding endeavors. This information is drawn from a map provided by the Global Rewilding Alliance.
One of the form of rewilding is biomimicry. Biomimicry is the first reflection on this new relationship. It can describe as a way to understand of the function of some structures created by nature to apply them in civil construction. One of the most renowned instances is seen in Mick Pearce’s Eastgate Center construction in Zimbabwe, where a passive cooling system is employed. This system emulates the shape of African termite mounds to maintain a consistent internal temperature, even in the face of the region’s significant temperature fluctuations. By utilizing cool nighttime air, the building cools its interior spaces. During the daytime, the air ascends from the ground level to the upper floors through chimneys.
Moreover, a multitude of parameterized projects, drawing inspiration from insect shells, cellular microorganisms, or organic structures, possess the ability to adapt their structural elements to open or close based on factors such as solar orientation, weather, or internal programming. Some of these projects can even respond to the environment by adjusting to diverse conditions. Beyond being a fleeting trend, biomimetic architecture provides the opportunity to devise objective solutions that demonstrate a collaborative relationship between humans and the natural world through the observation of nature.
In conclusion, the achievement of a successful ecological succession demands a level of collaboration that transcends the boundaries of human interaction. It necessitates a profound connection not only between individuals of our own species but also with the myriad of other species that share this planet. This elevated form of collaboration, where humanity engages in a mutually beneficial partnership with the natural world, holds the key to not only restoring our ecosystems but also securing a harmonious and thriving future for all life forms on Earth. The journey towards a harmonious coexistence with nature, as envisioned by rewilding and biomimicry, is not without challenges. Yet, it stands as a testament to human adaptability and the recognition of nature as a resilient partner rather than a resource to be depleted. As we reimagine the very foundations of architecture, we weave a narrative of hope, innovation, and responsibility – a narrative that speaks not only to the current generation but resonates for generations to come.
Citation :
- Architecture 2030. (n.d.). “Why the Built Environment?” Retrieved from https://architecture2030.org/why-the-built-environment/
- Here’s the Harvard style citation for the provided link:
- Brodka, C. (2023, August 23). “Re-Wilding in Architecture: Concepts, Applications, and Examples.” ArchDaily. Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/1005791/re-wilding-in-architecture-concepts-applications-and-examples
- Ghisleni, C. (2023, January 12). “Architecture as Collaboration Between Human and Non-Human Species.” ArchDaily. Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/994659/architecture-as-collaboration-between-human-and-non-human-species?ad_medium=widget&ad_name=related-article&ad_content=1005791
- Chakraborty, R. (2022). “Eastgate Centre: Green Architecture Innovation Type Enterprise Venture.” City2City Network. Retrieved from https://city2city.network/eastgate-centre-green-architecture-innovation-type-enterprise-venture
