While we often (understandably) focus on the architecture and design industries, it’s important to remember that there is a big, wide world out there. And when it comes to building, what works in Adelaide doesn’t necessarily work in, say, Tokyo – particularly where sustainability is concerned. Each city and each country around the world is grappling with different issues that affect their built environments. These may be overcrowding or population decline, the impending effects of climate change, or even the long standing requirements for designing for a particular climate.
When it comes to building better, the same culture of innovation that drives us at home pervades architecture in every other nation, too. And it’s with that in mind that we took a look at some of the prevalent sustainability trends in international design.
Minimalism and micro-living
Driven by Japan’s high population density and cultural appreciation for simplicity, minimalist architecture and micro-living solutions are flourishing. Micro living is a concept that tries to bring the same suitability and functionality of a much larger dwelling, to a very small space. This often involves strategically placed windows, curved walls, translucent panels, and hidden terraces that enable architects and designers to maximise sunlight and clear sky views, maintain privacy, and make use of every available space.
The innovation of the micro-living mindset extends beyond the architecture and into the soft furnishings and interior design elements. When space is at a premium, storage is worth its weight in gold, and multi-purpose, multi-functional storage solutions can be expected at every minimalist or micro-living dwelling you might encounter.
Sustainable wooden architecture
Long-renowned for their love of timber as a building material, our Scandinavian counterparts are increasingly leaning on wood for its versatility, renewability, and overall sustainable profile. Timber technology such as Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) has now taken this to the next level, making it possible to build larger, stronger, and more durable structures than ever before.
Sweden’s Mjøstårnet is an 18-storey, 72-room hotel that is just one of a growing number of new “plyrises” to be found across the Nordic nations. The tower produces the same amount of energy that it spends – a remarkable feat achieved through solar thermal energy, solar cell panelling and heat pumps directed at both earth and water.
The rise (and rise) of the megastructure
The Middle East has long been associated with extravagant architecture and design, jaw dropping engineering and lightning-fast construction. This tendency, combined with an abundance of natural resource and economic resources, makes the region a standout for some of the most large-scale and impressive architectural wonders of the modern world. Projects like the Burj Khalifa have already taken a back seat to new structures like Dubai’s Museum of the Future, or Saudi Arabia’s futuristic smart city, Neom.
Vernacular design
A renewed appreciation for cultural heritage and environmental consciousness is driving the use of traditional building techniques and locally sourced materials like earth, bamboo, and thatch. Particularly prevalent in parts of Africa, this approach results in climate-responsive, culturally relevant designs that promote sustainable practices. Vernacular architecture draws on the centuries-old knowledge of local peoples right across the continent in recognition that their sustainable building methods also hold the key to sustainable building for the future. These can involve such construction techniques as weaving and use of mud bricks, across a wide range of building envelopes from traditional house-style dwellings, to domes and cylinders.
From Japan’s minimalist micro-homes to Scandinavia’s towering wooden structures, the diverse landscape of sustainable architecture is evolving rapidly across the globe. By understanding the specific local conditions and needs faced in each part of the world, architects and designers can efficiently and innovatively contribute to the longevity of our built environments everywhere.
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Image: Huizhen High School by Approach Design Studio Zhejiang
