Architects have a significant impact on the environment.

As stewards of the
built environment, architects have the power to create sustainable, healthy, and liveable
spaces that promote the well-being of people. As global warming worsens, architects now
have the opportunity to establish new benchmarks in environmental improvement
(Architecture MasterPrize, 2023). They create spaces that speak to our innate attraction to
the natural environment.
Firstly, it is essential that architects consider the ecological footprint of their designs. By
using sustainable materials, they can reduce the carbon emissions associated with
construction as well as minimize waste and promote the circular economy (Architecture
MasterPrize, 2023).
One of the most significant way architects can help combat climate change is by designing
buildings that are energy-efficient, using recycled materials and those with low embodied
energy. But, also through the implementation of technologies such as solar panels and
geothermal heating and cooling systems (Architecture MasterPrize, 2023). Home
geothermal heating/cooling systems create zero carbon emissions and using them over the
course of a year equals removing two cars from the road. It also saves up to 50% of
heating/cooling bills each month (United States Enviromental Protection Agency, 2023)
In addition, architects can create climate responsive design, which is what our planet needs.
For hot and arid climates, they can use passive designs such as shading and ventilation,
reducing the need of air conditioning. Whereas for cold climates, passive solar designs fit
better: solar panels, metal roofs and south-facing windows (Architecture MasterPrize,
2023).
Net-zero building, biophilic design and reversible architecture are some of the best
environmental designs. Net-zero buildings create as much energy as they consume which
leads to zero carbon emissions, while biophilic designs increase occupant connectivity to the
natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place
conditions (Architecture MasterPrize, 2023). Reversable architecture ensures that entire
buildings can be deconstructed at the end of their life and their components are reused
meaning nothing goes to waste (Lizzie Crook, 2021)
Another significant contributor to carbon emissions is transportation. Architects can help
the reduce environmental impact of transportation by designing building that are easily
accessible by public transportation or by encouraging the use of bikes and walking. They can
also design buildings that have a smaller footprint, reducing the amount of land that needs
to be developed (Architecture MasterPrize, 2023).
In conclusion, long-term thinking in the field of architecture can bring the planet to its
healthy form and give its inhabitants a healthy life.

Refrences:
 Architecture MasterPrize (2023) The role of Architects in Combating Climate Change.
Available at: https://architectureprize.com/the-role-of-architects-and-climate-
change/ Accesed at:6 June 2023

 United States Environmental Protection Agency (2023) Geothermal Hating and

Cooling Technologies. Available at: https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!
&&p=4b1bb6e27206ac0eJmltdHM9MTY5NzI0MTYwMCZpZ3VpZD0zNGQzOWRiYS05
YzUxLTY1MTAtM2ZhYy04ZTI2OWQyNjY0NjImaW5zaWQ9NTE5NQ&ptn=3&hsh=3&fc
lid=34d39dba-9c51-6510-3fac-
8e269d266462&psq=united+states+environmental+protection+agency+geothermal+
heating&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXBhLmdvdi9yaGMvZ2VvdGhlcm1hbC1oZWF0aW
5nLWFuZC1jb29saW5nLXRlY2hub2xvZ2llcw&ntb=1 .Accesed at: 17 August 2023

 Crook, L. (2021) Ten ways in which architecture is adressing climate change.

Available at: https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!
&&p=8a3af638de1ccfa3JmltdHM9MTY5NzI0MTYwMCZpZ3VpZD0zNGQzOWRiYS05Y
zUxLTY1MTAtM2ZhYy04ZTI2OWQyNjY0NjImaW5zaWQ9NTE3OA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fcli
d=34d39dba-9c51-6510-3fac-
8e269d266462&psq=ten+ways+in+which+architecture+is+adressing+climate+chang
e&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGV6ZWVuLmNvbS8yMDIxLzA0LzIyL2FyY2hpdGVjdHVyZ
S1jbGltYXRlLWNoYW5nZS1lYXJ0aC1kYXkv&ntb=1 .Accesed at: 22 April 2021

 Bahadursingh, N. 8 Tangible Ways Architects Can Help Combat The Climate Crisis,
Available at:https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!
&&p=53606359bbd04de9JmltdHM9MTY5NzI0MTYwMCZpZ3VpZD0zNGQzOWRiYS05
YzUxLTY1MTAtM2ZhYy04ZTI2OWQyNjY0NjImaW5zaWQ9NTQwOQ&ptn=3&hsh=3&f
clid=34d39dba-9c51-6510-3fac-
8e269d266462&psq=architects+and+their+help+to+the+environment&u=a1aHR0cH
M6Ly9hcmNoaXRpemVyLmNvbS9ibG9nL3ByYWN0aWNlL21hdGVyaWFscy9hcmNoa
XRlY3RzLWNvbWJhdC10aGUtY2xpbWF0ZS1jcmlzaXMvIzp-
OnRleHQ9OCUyMFRhbmdpYmxlJTIwV2F5cyUyMEFyY2hpdGVjdHMlMjBDYW4lMjBIZ
WxwJTIwQ29tYmF0JTIwdGhlLDglMjA4LiUyMERlc2lnbiUyMGZvciUyMEh1bWFucyUy
MGFuZCUyME5hdHVyZSUyMA&ntb=1 Accesed at: no date

 Murphay, M. (2023) Architecture that's built to heal.Available at

https://youtu.be/MvXZzKZ3JYQ?si=JV0Vb0LmsUO8Xrfl .Accesed at: 6 October 2016.