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An Architectural Answer to how Cities can Turn Down the Heat
What if a powerful climate solution in cities isn’t a new building, but the roof that’s already there? As heat waves intensify across Europe, architect and MIT-trained educator Olivier Faber explains how his firm, Roofscapes is transforming overlooked rooftops into cooling, accessible, green infrastructure. Starting with Paris’s iconic zinc roofs, the conversation unpacks why existing buildings are misaligned with today’s climate, how shading and vegetation can dramatically reduce indoor temperatures without air conditioning, and why renovation and adaptation may matter more than new construction in the decades ahead. Along the way, Olivier reveals the political, technical, and cultural battles behind testing climate solutions in historic cities, and why climate adaptation is about changing how we value the buildings we already have.
Thumbnail Image courtesy of Roofscapes
Subscribe to Most Podern on:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podern
Keywords
architecture, climate change, renovation, urban design, sustainability, Roofscapes, green roofs, preservation, adaptation, building practices, Paris, urban design, heat island effect
Chapters
00:00 Background and Journey into Architecture
00:51 Exploring Alternative Architecture Practices
03:52 Introducing Roofscapes and Its Mission
06:17 Physical Adaptation: Before and After
07:16 The Challenges of Zinc Roofs in Urban Design
10:29 Innovative Solutions for Urban Heat Management
11:34Pitching Green Roof Solutions to Building Owners
14:08 Navigating the Complexities of Building Regulations
17:14 Measuring the Impact of Climate Adaptation Projects
24:09 Future Directions for Climate Adaptation in Architecture
Links
Olivier Faber - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivier-faber
Roofscapes - https://www.roofscapes.studio/MITx - https://mitxonline.mit.edu/
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By Minkoo Kang, Libo Li, and Alex Yuen
5
88 ratings
What if a powerful climate solution in cities isn’t a new building, but the roof that’s already there? As heat waves intensify across Europe, architect and MIT-trained educator Olivier Faber explains how his firm, Roofscapes is transforming overlooked rooftops into cooling, accessible, green infrastructure. Starting with Paris’s iconic zinc roofs, the conversation unpacks why existing buildings are misaligned with today’s climate, how shading and vegetation can dramatically reduce indoor temperatures without air conditioning, and why renovation and adaptation may matter more than new construction in the decades ahead. Along the way, Olivier reveals the political, technical, and cultural battles behind testing climate solutions in historic cities, and why climate adaptation is about changing how we value the buildings we already have.
Thumbnail Image courtesy of Roofscapes
Subscribe to Most Podern on:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podern
Keywords
architecture, climate change, renovation, urban design, sustainability, Roofscapes, green roofs, preservation, adaptation, building practices, Paris, urban design, heat island effect
Chapters
00:00 Background and Journey into Architecture
00:51 Exploring Alternative Architecture Practices
03:52 Introducing Roofscapes and Its Mission
06:17 Physical Adaptation: Before and After
07:16 The Challenges of Zinc Roofs in Urban Design
10:29 Innovative Solutions for Urban Heat Management
11:34Pitching Green Roof Solutions to Building Owners
14:08 Navigating the Complexities of Building Regulations
17:14 Measuring the Impact of Climate Adaptation Projects
24:09 Future Directions for Climate Adaptation in Architecture
Links
Olivier Faber - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivier-faber
Roofscapes - https://www.roofscapes.studio/MITx - https://mitxonline.mit.edu/
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