The Challenge:

We know that building and city derived greenhouse gas emissions are affecting our climate with potentially devastating results; what is less well understood is that there are often simple, practical solutions that can not only reduce emissions but make our buildings and cities more resilient to the changes we see happening more frequently. Some of these solutions involved complex modelling and advanced technology but often they are already around us, reflected in local and regionally specific designs, in construction techniques and materials, and are aligned with cultural understanding and behaviours.

The Opportunity:

We believe that designers, whatever their discipline or areas of practice, have a key role in developing to the complex challenges of delivering climate resilient growth solutions for our buildings and cities. All too often good ideas come too late in the decision taking process, or they aren’t implemented effectively, or that there simply isn’t enough awareness or understanding among clients, regulators, policy makers and co-professionals to make that difference to the outcome. We aim to change that through a global initiative Building Sense Now, which is focused on practical direct actions as a way of changing attitudes and supporting practitioners around the world who want to make a difference.

About Building Sense Now:

launched at the end of the year as a self-organizing grass root movement. The aim is not to found yet another organization but to create a broad network of like-minded architects, engineers and designers who are going to work towards climate and cultural – sensible – buildings around the world. We want to share knowledge and experiences, both good and bad. Good design is about climate resilient and culturally responsive design – we want to bring this message to all who have a role in shaping our cities and buildings, from governments, to manufacturers, from clients to young designers of the future.

We built everywhere the same regardless if it fits climatically or not as it will be “fixed” with energy by cooling the buildings down. Just because it is technically possible to do something it doesn’t have to make sense.