Innovating a sustainable transition

Wood has many properties that contribute to well-being in indoor environments, yet its use in healthcare is still more limited than both possible and desirable, due in part to hygiene requirements and fire safety concerns. The international research project Wood for Health has developed new surface treatments as well as knowledge on the use of wood in hospitals and other environments with high hygiene demands. The guide Wood for Health showcases outstanding healthcare architecture from seven European countries, combined with insights on research, regulations, and design strategies to inspire more sustainable and human-centred care facilities.

The project PED-ID is a research and innovation project aiming to accelerate the urban environment’s decarbonisation by promoting the implementation of Positive-Energy-Districts (PED). PEDs are districts in urban areas that manage their resources to achieve a positive energy balance (more energy is produced than consumed on an annual basis) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

When relocating its London office from Shoreditch to Farringdon in May 2023, White Arkitekter decided to commit to a circular-economy fit-out of its new home in Bastwick Street. The aim was to reuse materials as much as possible, to reduce waste and to design the new offices with a minimum embodied carbon and operational energy approach. While the process took longer than a non-circular fit-out (lasting five months including the tender process and work on site), its 80 percent furniture re-use and overall low embodied carbon use set an impressive sustainability precedent. It also saved 40 per cent on costs, compared with an all-new office overhaul, cutting the project budget from an estimated £180,000 to £100,000.

Computational Design has many different definitions, but in general the computational design developer combines expertise in scripting and programming with design competence, and the ability to develop and apply digital code to resolve issues or enhance workflows in architectural design processes. This white paper presents challenges and opportunities for the application of computational design in projects, including 40 examples where this has led to innovation within the boundaries of the commission.

Computational techniques offer new opportunities within architectural design practice, affecting not only issues of form and fabrication, but also the management of architectural design processes. This white paper presents the bespoke process for the computational design development of a public furniture in the form of a 65-meter-long bench specifically designed for Forumtorget, a public square in Uppsala, Sweden.

Innovative building envelope for sustainable, modular, aesthetic, reliable and efficient construction. Some solar power systems can now be seamlessly integrated into the building envelope and be part of a building’s façade, roof, or windows. Such building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) can contribute to achieving net-zero energy buildings and provide low electricity costs while maintaining high-quality architectural design.

Global travel bans, restrictions and remote working continue to impact the hospitality landscape inextricably. The pandemic has shown that the negative impact of humanity on the environment can be slowed and behavior change accelerated. This is the perfect time to act.

When designing the new central square in Kiruna, Sweden, emphasis has been placed on creating a comfortable microclimate that mitigates the extreme cold climate. This project presents a methodology developed to evaluate the effect of floor surface material and tree density on the outdoor thermal comfort in the square.

To delve into parametric design in architecture, Dsearch focused on design computation in the exploration of a graphic expression for the façade of Humanistiska Teatern.

Integrating renewable energy sources, such as active solar energy systems, into the urban fabric is of utmost importance to forge resilient cities with high levels of sustainability.