During last month's Futurebuild event, greenwashing emerged as a prominent issue. After conversing with multiple experts from the built environment and attending several engaging seminars and discussions, it became apparent that the industry has become somewhat complacent in achieving authentic 'sustainability' and, ultimately, tackling climate change. Consequently, many of the talks held during the three-day event aimed to spark dialogue and expose genuinely sustainable practices and practical paths to change the sector's perspective.
To attain industry-wide, in-demand sustainability and eco objectives, it is necessary to think innovatively, which Reid Brewin Architects (RBA) addresses in this month's issue. Yvonne McCormack, BIM Lead and Architectural Designer at RBA, takes a creative approach to heat capture and illustrates the potential for giving back to urban areas by highlighting the firm's pioneering Equinix PA10 data centre project in Paris. The facility employs wasted energy to operate an 'urban farm' on the rooftop, making it the first of its kind in France. See page 24 for further details on this groundbreaking design.
Other subjects that were incorporated into Futurebuild's agenda this year are biophilia and biodiversity, which we also delve into in this edition. Richard Sabin, Managing Director of Biotecture, discusses the advantages of living walls not only for the environment but also for our mental health. Here, he explains why architects and developers are integrating living walls into their designs in detail, and you can find out more on page 28. Additionally, Stephanie Palmer, Head of Sustainability at Wienerberger, offers insights on what the construction value chain can do to counteract biodiversity depletion resulting from construction projects on page 36.
ON THE COVER:
Set along the western boundary of the Milano Innovation District (MIND), MAD Architects, led by Chinese Architect Ma Yansong, has unveiled renderings of a monumental gateway complex.
Rebecca Kemp
Editor
rebecca@redhutmedia.com
