Granted, 33% of global energy-related greenhouse emissions are caused by buildings making Architecture the number one emitter of greenhouse gases. Sure, 82% of all global fossil fuel consumption is accounted for by buildings. And yes, 55% of the energy used in construction is dedicated to the extraction of new materials. Landfills are full to the brim with discarded construction materials and building industry waste.
But local architect Jody Brown has specified light fixtures to be manufactured within a 500-mile radius of the construction site. So there’s that. Additionally, all new buildings he has designed since 2021 are provided with ample bike parking spaces.
The Amazon has lost about 17 percent of its tree cover and at the current rate of deforestation, could reach a loss of 27 percent by 2030. Therefore, all new projects going forward at Mr. Brown’s firm will no longer specify Brazilian mahogany flooring.
Concrete production produces 2.2 billion tonnes of CO2 and concrete production has increased 400% since 1990. This is why Mr. Brown has specified using heavy timber construction as an add alternate in his latest design. Hopefully, the contractors will make the right choice.
Climate change is real. So is the power of specifying alternates at the contractor’s discretion for using 2-5% recycled content in all add mixtures used in the concrete throughout this new Taco Bell drive-thru restaurant.
Experts predict that the climate crisis will reach the point of no return by as early as 2030. However, Mr. Brown has decided to join the American Institute of Architects 2030 challenge for all new buildings, developments, and major renovations to be carbon neutral by the year 2030. So we should have things solved just in the nick of time.
Although all the evidence points towards the profession of architecture as one of the primary culprits in the worsening of the climate crisis…
Mr. Brown is confident that HIS designs are making a difference.
