That’s the world architect Jeremy McLeod is fighting for, and he joins us today to share the how and the why behind this dream. 

Jeremy is the co founder of both Breathe Architecture and Nightingale Housing, where he works to bring sustainability, community, and innovation to the forefront of the building industry. 

A big focus in our conversation was the Nightingale Model. Jeremy explained that Nightingale isn’t just a building; it's a housing model. At its core, it follows a triple-bottom-line approach, encompassing sustainability, community, and financial feasibility. This involves:

- Achieving sustainability through all-electric, 100% renewable energy usage.

- Fostering community by sharing resources like laundries and rooftop spaces.

- Ensuring financial sustainability by structuring projects around impact investments and selling units without profit margins.

Jeremy stated that by removing the profit motive and focusing on community needs and sustainability, Nightingale creates affordable, quality housing. This is evidenced by their growing waiting lists, demonstrating a strong demand for such innovative models.

We also discussed the critical role developers play in expanding sustainable housing. Jeremy believes that developers can and should evolve by adopting sustainable practices proven by models like Nightingale. He acknowledged that while profit is not the primary focus for Nightingale, larger developers can still profit through improved environmental standards.

Despite the obstacles, Jeremy remains optimistic about change. One of the main takeaways here is that transparency and certainty in planning are vital. Cities can learn from international examples where clear height and density regulations provide more predictable outcomes for developers and communities, which leads to better practices and more innovation! 

Jeremy is doing some incredible work, and we hope our conversation with him will encourage more people to go out and fight for a better future in building!

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