As a species, we are at a pivotal moment in our history. The scientific community has come together to heed a clear warning, to spur into action a radical global shift in behaviour across all aspects of our lives. The latest IPCC report states that human activity is “unequivocally” the cause of rapid changes to the climate, including sea level rises, melting polar ice and glaciers, heatwaves, floods and droughts.
Responsible for a staggering 40% of global carbon emissions, the construction industry has a vital duty of care to reduce emissions and protect the planet for future generations. Carbon hungry building materials such as glass, steel, concrete and brick need to be questioned and natural materials such as timber, straw and hemp brought to the forefront of contemporary architectural discourse.
We need a paradigm shift to redress the political policies, and the social and spatial inequalities destroying our towns and communities.
The architecture of craft and consideration is now a rare occurrence with manufacturers and developers seeking to standardise mass produced buildings to speed up construction whilst maximising profits - but at what cost to our towns, countryside, health and quality of life?
Unit 2 will seize the opportunity to define an alternative, climate focussed approach to contemporary architecture and propose low tech buildings fit for an uncertain future.