Last month, the architecture industry celebrated the wins of Anne Lacation and Jean-Phillippe Vassal. The unassuming French duo had won architecture’s most coveted prize, the Pritzker Architecture Prize, promptly gaining recognition worldwide.
Newspapers, magazines and blogs championed the architects’ motto to “never demolish,” making their commitment to restorative architecture front page news.
As the world learned about the sustainable design taking place in Lacation & Vassal’s Paris office, Melbourne was gearing up for its own sustainable design awakening.
On March 26, the city became inundated with over 300 exhibits, events, talks as part of Melbourne Design Week. This year’s theme, “Design the world you want,” is geared around three pillars: care, community and climate.
This year’s festival is all about sustainable design and the role that architecture plays in that. Leading the pack is “A New Normal,” a series of installations, programs and talks that demonstrate how projects could transform Melbourne into an entirely self-sufficient city by 2030. The shared exhibition is curated by Finding Infinity, with help from local architecture practices including DREAMER and Hassell.
Combined, the architects behind “A New Normal” are seeking $50 million worth of investment from developers and investors to bring pilots of their projects to life. In an article published in the Financial Review, Harding estimates it would take $100 billion in capital investment to fully transform Melbourne into a sustainable city.
While the financial commitment could take some time, it’s clear that the momentum for sustainable design is well underway.
As shown with the Pritzker Prize honorees and themes of Melbourne Design Week, sustainability in design and architecture is quickly becoming the benchmark of our industry. As climate change continues to impact our world, we will not only see the role of the architect shift, but also gain prevalence as society starts turning to architects for the solutions.
Is your practice ready and committed to adapt to this ‘new normal’ that has sustainability amongst its core values?
If you’re looking for more tips, strategies and advice on how you can lead an architecture practice that works sustainably and profitably, check out our Programs and Courses. Alternatively, you can contact us directly by filling out this form, and we’ll find a time to chat about your needs and how Archibiz can help.