Architects for Future in Karlsruhe
The Architects for Future association stands in solidarity with the Fridays for Future movement and is committed to achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Accords and limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5°. Their members are involved in and with the construction industry, working on a voluntary and not-for-profit basis in the movement and at association level, campaigning for sustainable change in the construction industry. They are international, non-partisan, autonomous and democratically organised. Architects for Future addresses both the building industry and society as a whole to cooperatively develop sustainable solutions at all levels and to initiate sustainable change.
On the basis of public relations, networking and knowledge transfer, the Architects for Future communicate their demands to the outside world via various media and events, bring together other organisations and players and build up a knowledge base for sustainable planning in order to set the course for holistic, sustainable building planning.
In order to become active in Karlsruhe as well, Alisa Schneider and Elena Boerman, two architecture students at the Department of Architecture at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, have taken the initiative and founded a local group of Architects for Future in Karlsruhe. In this way, the discourse on the development towards a holistically future-oriented, responsible and sustainable building industry is to be enriched.
Architects for Future - Our Statement:
1. critically questions demolition
Not only are valuable and dwindling resources wasted in demolition and new construction, but also significantly more energy. When looking at the energy balance of the whole life cycle of a building, it becomes obvious that by evaluating grey energy, a refurbishment is preferable to any new construction, even passive houses.
2. choose healthy and climate-positive materials
Tropical wood, PVC flooring, synthetic resins, chemical solvents - we can choose foreign and cheap materials or think differently. Alternatives are regional, renewable and healthy materials. After all, the choice of building materials has a significant impact on the health of building users and our environment.
3. design for an open society
Many building decisions are made with financial development opportunities in mind. The comfort and use of the spaces are considered secondary in favour of optimising profit for investors. We should ask ourselves again for whom we are actually designing and building.
4. constructs in line with the cycle
In addition to renewable materials such as wood, straw, sheep's wool or flax, recyclable materials must be used which, when properly installed, are non-destructively detachable and can therefore be reused. This way the building does not lose value over its life cycle but can be deconstructed and sold.
5. avoids downcycling
Already today, the majority of construction waste is reused. However, this is not so much recycling as downcycling, the quality and functionality is degraded. This needs to be countered by true circular construction.
6. use urban mines
If buildings are nevertheless demolished, raw materials must be systematically collected and recovered. Primary raw materials are finite, so the use of secondary materials becomes essential.
7. preserve and create biodiverse habitat
Construction activities are often accompanied by an enormous consumption of land, which destroys valuable habitats for flora and fauna. Sealed land also loses its usefulness for food production, local recreation, and stormwater infiltration. Responsible planning can not only mitigate the destruction of natural areas, but also offers the potential to promote biodiversity and healthy habitat.
More information at:
https://www.architects4future.de/aktuelles
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyQYb3FhViI3RZSsHhD25_A
https://changelab.exchange/architects-for-future-in-karlsruhe/
Or join our local group now:
https://t.me/joinchat/TmfBSh1uWQVty6iAcDDwdA
Photo: Alisa Schneider and Elena Boerman
