Sustainable Building Saga

How do architecture, politics, and power relate? With Yoko Alender, Minister of Climate of Estonia, we discuss buildings, spaces in between, path dependencies, slow violence, and softer cities.

How does the understanding of the climate impacts of buildings and their materials change our aesthetic perception? Can architecture cause or alleviate climate anxiety? Together with research fellow Sanna Lehtinen of Aalto University, we are diving into the deep end of environmental aesthetics and having an imaginary coffee break with Junichiro Tanizaki, Christian Norberg-Schulz and Henry Thoreau.

How do architecture and activism relate? How can we learn to love old (boring) buildings, instead of tearing them down? Tove Sjöberg of the Architects Climate Action Network gives examples and insights from Sweden.

Climate policies are emerging rapidly. Carbon footprint calculations will soon be mandatory for new buildings in the European Union. What does this mean for designers and builders? Together with Philippe Moseley, an architect turned policymaker, we talk through the essence of forth-coming regulation - and the role of creativity in the development of regulations.

Life cycle assessment is the new must-use tool for building designers and product developers. But how does it work out in practice? What sort of resources and skills are needed? CEO Panu Pasanen of One Click LCA guides us through the drill – and reveals his personal motivation for pushing the industry forward.

What can we learn from traditional Japanese construction? Can the principles of old timber joints be adopted to modern, reversible building design? Together with professor, architect and wood engineer Atsushi Takano of Kagoshima University we reflected the vernacular approaches to construction in Japan.

How can the collaboration between architects and engineers lead to record-low emissions? What is the precise recipe for a low carbon house? In this episode, we are visiting the Effekt Architects in Copenhagen and discussing the Living Places project.

What are the survival mechanisms for cities in the rapidly warming climate? How is sustainability being embedded into French city planning? Together with Franck Boutté we discussed future scenarios and responses.

Is the global resource scarcity leading us into re-interpretation of architecture? How have the Icelandic people learnt to live in an island with limited construction materials but with abundance of energy? A discussion with architect, urban planner and lecturer Karl Kvaran from Iceland.

How has Sweden succeeded in mainstreaming wood construction? Is it possible to further utilise woody biomass for climate-friendly buildings, without risking biodiversity? Anna Denell of real-estate company Vasakronan and Oskar Norelius of White Architects in discussion with Helena Bjarnegård.