Top Ten: curated projects that consider their ecological footprint

In the second of a new series of curated project highlights, we handpick ten projects from the last few years of the Architonic project database. In each article, we’ll pick apart one contemporary trend-setting element of interior design and architecture, highlighting – in the architects’ own words – how it was approached. As part of Architonic’s first Sustainability Project Newsletter of 2024, we present projects that underscore the necessity of prioritising sustainability from the outset of architectural design.

The selection of materials, building processes and the symbiotic relationship between the artificial and natural realms are just a few of the factors that directly impact the environment when proposing an architectural intervention. Opting for reuse, local materials and alternative technologies are crucial steps in taking responsibility for new building creations. These ten spaces from the realms of culture, residential and hospitality use different kinds of interventions to keep their environmental footprint to a minimum.

‘The materials used for this space, such as bricks, wood, green and a mixture of gravel, are organic and have a unique touch. The circle table has a top that is made from compressed magazines and used paper, and we engrave the patterns from the building facade. The table in the cafe has dried leaves mixed in, which we collected from the building's square.’

‘The landscape is also a feature of the Forest Villa. It not only appears in the seasonal forest on the ground floor but also spreads to the open skylight courtyard on the underground floor and the botanic garden on the third floor, providing a variety of insects and birds a place to rest and bringing a smell and auditory sensation.’

‘The reinforced concrete framework is complemented by a facade infill made with large, prefabricated wooden elements. The choice of wood follows a twofold strategy: it lightens the construction and reduces the costs of superimposed structures while improving the building’s ecological footprint.’

‘The family-run hotel with its 76 rooms and 14 chalets, laid out as a village, lives up to its name: For those seeking relaxation and sports enthusiasts, the hotel offers heavenly facilities. Originally a farmhouse with guest rooms, it is now a hotel dedicated to ecotourism. The sustainable philosophy runs through the range of activities on offer, the cuisine and the architecture.’

‘The bridges and openings in the hand-finished shotcrete connect visitors physically and visually to multiple levels housing new exhibition galleries, education spaces and collections facilities, creating welcoming sightlines that encourage movement into and throughout the building. The verticality of the Griffin Atrium also acts as a key sustainability feature, providing natural light and air circulation to the heart of the building’s interior.’

‘Fragmented volumes and dominant pitched roofs characterize the architecture of these houses. With challenges such as the transformation of the existing housing stock, AB House is a modest, yet distinct example of how living in the countryside can be made more sustainable and adapted to changing demands for contemporary living.’

‘Local materials were employed in this project to achieve harmonious integration between architecture and the surrounding nature, without altering the natural aesthetics of the environment – the selection of these materials allowed for the seamless integration of nature and architecture in the environment without distortions. The access to the house through a natural stone path underlines the permeability of nature and its fusion with the building.’

‘The overarching project ethos placed an acute emphasis on resource preservation and a minimal carbon footprint; what can be built within planetary boundaries, and what materials were already available to achieve the most sustainable outcomes? Varvsstaden had made an enlightened head start, creating a material bank in a nearby warehouse stocked with upcycled materials from other disassembled wharf buildings.’

‘With a preference for color and natural materials, the interventions were carefully selected. At the project's outset, several finishes and craftsmen were already secured, forming the foundation upon which the project would later be built. Extensive self-construction work allowed us to invest in the technical and energetic aspects of the house as well as its aesthetic appeal, creating a sustainable home.’

‘From the careful consideration of building materials to the selection of sustainable furniture, each decision reflects a shared vision to address environmental concerns comprehensively. In the quest for a more sustainable future, the partnership between Humanscale and Mangrove Work&Stay stands as a remarkable model for the hospitality industry.’

© Architonic

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