Eric Rawlins’ Post

🌊 What if a river had rights, like a person? 🌸🐝What if a building could double flora and fauna and provide habitat for hundreds of species?🌿What if we built our infrastructure for and with #nature, as a collaborator? These are just some of the exciting questions already being answered by #RegenerativeDesign. To all the designers reading this, for whom the practice of Regenerative Design seems out of reach, let us explain why it’s not… From partnering with beavers to increase #water storage across a catchment, to mimicking the strategies of termites to keep a building cool, Regenerative Design is the start of a necessary paradigm shift towards co-existing in harmony with nature. Our latest report, Arup Explores: Regenerative Design, sets out three design principles (#nature-led, #systemic, #equitable), a collection of case studies and a theory of change to guide and support the emergence of this necessary practice. With over a third of global waste produced by the built environment sector alone, we know that #engineers, #urbanplanners, #architects and #designers have a more important role than ever in responding to the climate and ecological crisis through their work. This piece of work was a labour of love and it’s only the start of the conversation. I joined Arup to inject some life and soul into the grey, concrete jungle I found around me when I first moved to #London. I hope what we have created here, the space to collaborate with nature and give back, will inspire designers to learn and take action over the decisions they make, no matter how small those decisions might feel. Lola Bushnell Katelyn Nagle Tobias Revell Josef Hargrave Malina Dabrowska Freddie Oxland Claudia Palcova Emily Clements Essi Maikola Julien Clin Arlind Neziri Lucy Henriques Stephanie Schemel Sarah Bushnell #wearearup #arup

Energy modelling is key to designing buildings that are both efficient and sustainable. Let's build a greener future together! 🌿✨ #BuildGreen #EnergyModelling #Sustainability #GreenBuilding #WeMakeItSustainable

Innovation in construction is not just about new materials or cutting-edge designs; it’s also about enhancing processes. 🌍💡 Recently, I’ve been diving deep into sustainable building practices. Sustainable construction isn’t merely a trend—it’s becoming the norm. From energy-efficient buildings to the use of renewable resources, the future is green. 📌 Here are a few approaches I’ve found impactful: 🔹 Incorporating green roofs and walls 🔹 Utilizing sustainable materials like recycled steel and bamboo 🔹 Implementation of energy-efficient systems How are you integrating sustainability into your projects? #SustainableConstruction #GreenBuilding #Innovation

🌲 'Green Energy' can mean many things. For the initiators of the building 'Stories', thinking of green energy already started in the production process. From the third floor up, no concrete was used. Instead, the building is made of wood (cross-laminated timber), which - compared to concrete - saved the world from 600 ton CO2. ☀ Of course it doesn't stop there. Each apartment is connected to 14 m2 of solar panels on the shared roof. And they even thought about unforeseen futures: the construction of the building facilitates a completely flexible layout on each floor, just in case the building might be used for something else in the future. 🔷 Stories is part of 'Inkijkjes in de Energietransitie' / 'Glimpses of Green Energy'. Watch the 1min animation on Stories, or visit the location yourself. It is number 5 on the map of our walking tour (inkijkjes.nl). Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie Waag Futurelab City of Amsterdam Olaf Gipser Architects Heutink Groep | Ontwikkelt en bouwt

The key to sustainability and circularity within planetary boundaries in building is incentives like taxation. Ok, also the legislation must come up to speed. It is impossible to make this happen if the road full of deep pit holes is paved with just good intentions. Companies must be sure that this road is accessible and legal to drive everywhere, anytime.

Really interesting discussions at the Circular x change event, facilitated by Lendager today, on where Denmark and Europe is in terms of circularity in construction, and how do we get where we want to be. Denmark is below the average global level of circularity (4% vs 7% global). There is a lot of good questions in the air but not many precise answers. A lot of discussions touch on degrowth, and how to decouple the construction from the addiction to the current investment/ growth model. There is a need for proven innovation solutions, that could secure financial flows to the companies and projects using circular materials and approaches. A lot of stakeholders need to collaborate to make the necessary changes possible, but they are often driven by opposing interests. We need to improve the tool set that is being used in the industry, bring in economists, anthropologists and other professionals to move things towards scale. We need to change legislation, so that the renovation of buildings becomes a norm, rather than a fringe idea. Conclusion revolves around the fact that we need to do more, more radically, and address the financial root of the industry. My favorite quote of the day comes from Anders Lendager: “We need serious activism, we don’t see architects chaining themselves to the building being demolished anymore. In the past, people were fighting for the beliefs physically. We need to be creative in the way we fight this change.” #circulareconomy #architecture #construction

Some really nice thoughts on the problems we are facing, and possible solutions, when it comes to reusing what we already have. The conventional understanding of designing, sourcing and constructing is simply not suited to deal with the fact that building new is not the way out if we are serious about lowering our negative impacts.

We have used up our CO2 budget – so how can we stop building new? The construction industry accounts for around 40% of global CO2 emissions. Nevertheless, we are seeing growth in demolishing property only to build new. This simply doesn't hold up. The absurd thing is that the industry itself knows this – and they want to change it – we already know many of the solutions, but we lack the political incentives to create a level playing field and to allow for competition that centres around planetary boundaries rather than economic growth. The ask from experts around the sector is: Let's make it easier to make the right choice – and expensive to make the wrong one! Drawing on Nordic experiences, we’ve asked five thought leaders how we can turn words and knowledge into tangible actions tailored to our local conditions: Signe Wenneberg: Climate activist, speaker, author, and journalist from Denmark Louise Heebøll: Architect MAA, founder of Louise Heebøll ApS, and the association Del Hus and V!GØR Peter Ullstad: Architect, founder of Codesign AB, Sweden Pasi Aalto: Centre Director NTNU Wood, Department of Architecture and Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Anna Denell: Chief Sustainability Officer, Vasakronan, and Chairwoman of “Håll Nollan” Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dt9P9kDn — Malin Zimm, Angelica Åkerman, Dorte Bo Bojesen, Helle Redder Momsen, Anders Vestergaard Jensen, Nordic Innovation, Nordic Sustainable Construction, The Nordic Council of Ministers and The Nordic Council, Form/Design Center, SUSTAINORDIC, Climate-KIC, Bolig og byggeri | Social- og Boligstyrelsen i Danmark #SustainableArchitecture #GreenTransition #NordicInnovation #SustainabilityLeadership #Circulareconomy #buildingtransformation #stopbuildingnew #renovation

𝙢𝙮𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣: 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣-1 Introducing the first sustainable housing prototype. It is designed to be durable and contemporary with every moment. With a system that reduces construction time Flexible and expandable when needed Use materials that are widely used locally. Saves energy and does not affect the surrounding environment. #vinjirawat #sustainable #designconcept #TAKTIKDesignThinkingLab

Embracing Sustainability in Construction The future of building is green. Eco-conscious construction integrates sustainability from the blueprint to the final brick, focusing on energy efficiency, renewable materials, and reduced waste. This shift isn’t just about the environment—it’s about creating healthier, more cost-effective spaces. Innovations like solar-integrated facades and recycled concrete are paving the way for a greener tomorrow. As industry professionals, let's champion these practices to build not just for today, but for a sustainable future. #GreenBuilding #SustainableDesign #EcoConstruction #EnergyEfficiency #SustainableArchitecture #InnovationInConstruction #EcoFriendlyLiving #ejar