However, even though the global health crisis kept disrupting on-ground operations, it by no means stopped creativity. 2021 brought the launch or development of some of the most ambitious architectural projects of our times, many of which united under the themes of sustainability, inclusion, and robust public spaces.
Following the industrial revolution, much of our consumption followed a linear model of “take-make-waste", and buildings are no exception. A rising alternative to this is the circular economy, a holistic approach to economic progress to benefit businesses, society, and the environment.
Modern historians often trace the beginning of the environmental movement to 1970, when Gaylord Nelson, a former Wisconsin governor (1958-1962) and a senator (1963-1981), wanted to foster dialogue and conversations about environmental issues. Nelson's teach-ins formed Earth Day, a catalyst moment that brought the environment into the political and cultural zeitgeist, forever changing its perception by the masses.
Construction remains one of the least digitized industries globally. Construction's limited digitization contributes to ill-informed decisions and inefficient industry processes, accelerating financial and environmental costs
Buildings and construction are responsible for 39 percent of the carbon emissions in the world. Operational emissions, meaning the energy required to heat, cool, or light a building, account for 28 percent of overall emissions.
Buildings are to blame, in part, for today's staggering rates of global warming. As they constitute a whopping 39 percent of the worldwide carbon emissions, it's not possible to stop the catastrophic temperature rise without making buildings greener. Luckily, the proliferation of net-zero energy construction is doing exactly that, turning this environmental liability into an opportunity.
By 2050, almost 70 percent of the world's booming population will be living in cities. In addition to the challenges of climate change, an exponential urban sprawl might accelerate issues like pollution or extreme weather vulnerability.
Following its rapid rise from a humble fishing village to an ultra-modern metropolis, Dubai is a city of superlatives: It's home to the world's tallest building, biggest shopping mall, largest picture frame, or the most capacious indoor skiing center.