In a world characterized by rapid change and evolving needs, architecture must embrace the challenge of creating spaces that can flex and evolve alongside our societies. In this interview, we engage in a dialogue with Robert Schmidt III, an expert from Adaptable Futures at Loughborough University, to delve into the realm of "Design for Adaptability." Schmidt sheds light on the principles, challenges, and significant implications of this forward-thinking architectural approach. He elaborates on how this method not only enhances a building's ability to accommodate evolving demands but also holds the key to a sustainable future by minimizing the wasteful practice of frequent demolitions and rebuilds.

Made from agricultural by-products or recycled materials, bio-based insulation emerges as a promising alternative for civil construction, as it provides a variety of benefits for people's health and also for the environment. 

The traditional Amazon architecture reveals precise knowledge and techniques for the construction of buildings in great harmony with the natural landscape. An in-depth study of local architecture can provide relevant lessons about sustainable construction, enabling the design of buildings with greater energy efficiency, lower environmental impact and that are better integrated in the territory.

As the world faces pressing environmental challenges, the construction industry seeks transformative solutions to minimize its ecological footprint. In this pursuit, Sugarcrete® emerges as a remarkable and sustainable innovation that transforms sugarcane by-product into a versatile building block. Developed through a collaborative effort between the University of East London, architecture firm Grimshaw, and Tate & Lyle Sugars, Sugarcrete® embodies a paradigm shift towards greener building practices. In this interview, we delve into the journey of Sugarcrete®’s creation, exploring its eco-friendly attributes and its potential to redefine sustainable building practices.

Contemporary construction practices rely heavily on intricate structures with numerous components and global supply chains, leading to increased energy consumption and environmental impact. In response, eco-minimalism offers a compelling alternative by emphasizing simple yet effective solutions to sustainability challenges. This design philosophy prioritizes practicality over complexity, challenging the notion that sustainable architecture must be expensive or elaborate. By embracing eco-minimalism, architects can reduce resource consumption and carbon emissions while still creating functional and aesthetically pleasing structures. In this article, we explore the fundamental principles of eco-minimalism and propose five actionable strategies for its implementation in architectural projects.

Matthew Barnett Howland is an Associate Professor at The Bartlett School of Architecture UCL and Director of Research & Development at CSK Architects. Together with Dido Milne and Oliver Wilton (UCL), he designed the Cork House in Berkshire, UK. The house, which was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize and has won The Stephen Lawrence Prize, a RIBA National Award and the RIBA South Sustainability Award, is a brand new and radically simple form of plant-based construction. In this interview, Matthew explains the fundamental principles of this project and also some of the benefits of using cork in architecture.

Rice House Company is a pioneering startup that aims to reduce the environmental footprint of the construction industry by using rice waste to produce sustainable and innovative isolation materials. In this interview, we talk to Alessio Colombo, co- founder of Rice House, about their rice husk insulation and its potential positive impact on Italy´s construction sector.

Açaí fruit is a biologically renewable resource from the Amazon, whose tonnes of seeds are being discarded everyday in the region. However, the promising studies show the great potential of  the seeds in the construction market, responding to the waste problem and strong demand for affordable and local building materials.

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Biohm is a bio-manufacturing startup firm, based in the United Kingdom, that draws on nature for inspiration and innovation. Its Engagement Lead, Evie Faure, tells us how they use mycelium (the vegetative filament root structure of mushrooms) and organic substrates that are the by-products or wastes of other industries to make clean and effective insulation panels.

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Dr. Philip Crowther, Associate Professor at the School of Architecture and Built Environment of Queensland University of Technology, explains which are the key principles of design for disassembly and how to integrate them into an architectural context.

Invasive species are a major threat to the environment and the economy. In search of solutions to this issue, researchers have developed studies on how invasive species can be used in the civil construction sector, helping in the recovery of local biodiversity and minimizing the impacts arising from the production of construction materials.

Monty Chong-Walden is the co-founder of Calmura Walls, a company that is proposing a different way to build homes. By utilizing natural and recycled materials, Calmura Walls has developed a monolithic biocomposite wall system that is durable, lasting, and healthy. In this interview, Chong-Walden shares his inspiration behind starting Calmura Walls and how this led to the creation of their unique wall system.