Why Architects and Designers Should Care About the Climate?
The climate crisis isn’t coming.
It’s already here. And it’s loud.
Cities under water.
Heatwaves breaking records every year.
Polluted air we can barely breathe.
Sea levels rising, eating away our coastlines.
And guess what connects all of this?
As architect, interior designer and creative professionals, we shape the world people live in from homes and schools to malls and skyscrapers.
And with that comes huge power and even bigger responsibility.
Why Your Designs Matter More Than Ever:
Buildings Are Big Polluters
The building industry is responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions.
That includes the materials we use,
The cement and steel we use
The energy needed to run buildings
The waste left behind.
Every design decision like wall insulation, window orientation, even tile choice, either contributes to or reduces that carbon load.
Design Last for Decades
When you design a house, a school, or a hospital, you’re not designing for a year.
You’re designing for decades.
A poorly ventilated building locks people into energy-hungry AC use.
A well-oriented one? It might run cool naturally and reduce the need for artificial climate control altogether.
That’s years of climate impact decided on your laptop.
Your Clients Want Better Too
From startups to legacy firms, clients are looking for future-proof design, something that's not just aesthetic, but adaptive.
They’re asking questions like:
Is this space energy-efficient?
What’s the carbon footprint of our interiors?
Can we use local materials instead?
Sustainable design isn’t niche anymore, it’s market-ready. And the designers who speak this language are in demand.
Climate Resilience is the New Luxury
Design should look good. But today, it also needs to feel good when the world outside is burning at 45°C.
Luxury now means:
Passive Cooling
Rainwater Harvesting
Green Roods and Rooftop Gardens
Adaptive Reuse
Homes that breathe and protect
The Future Is Interdisciplinary
Climate design isn’t just about “green roofs” anymore.
It’s about collaborating with:
Urban planners
Environmental experts
Engineers + policy makers
Local craftspeople and communities
Your role as a designer is evolving: from artist to systems thinker.
So What Can You Do?
Learn about embodied carbon and passive design.
Explore tools like EC3, One Click LCA, or WELL/LEED frameworks.
Start small: Choose better materials. Optimize layouts. Ask more questions.
Bottom Line?
Design is climate action.
If we design smarter, cities breathe easier.
If we ignore it, we lock in climate damage for decades.
You have the power to shift the story-
from pollution and destruction to healing and hope.
So let’s make climate part of every mood board, every site plan, every render.
Not just because it's cool.
But because the world desperately needs it.
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