Adapting to Reality: How Climate Change Influences Architecture

Most scientists, based on research data, have reached a consensus that global warming has long ceased to be a myth. The intensity of heat waves increases every year: the last 10 years were the warmest on record, and 2023 broke all global records.

Radical climate changes dictate new rules for building design, and architects are increasingly including climate risk assessment in the project creation process. For example, structures must account for higher demands for strength and resilience to severe natural impacts, and also provide effective methods for cooling and heating spaces.

A Course Toward Greenspace Expansion

Architects are integrating smart automated systems into their projects that regulate energy consumption, for example, depending on the number of occupants or weather conditions. Besides supporting conscious consumption, this also helps reduce operational costs. Furthermore, integrating systems for generating renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, into projects is becoming the norm. And systems of green usable roofs and vertical gardens improve air quality and help lower temperatures in buildings during hot weather.

Against the backdrop of decentralization and a shifting interest towards integrated territorial development projects, developers have begun seeking new points of attraction: increasing the diversity of green zones and their area, reducing pendulum migration through the implementation of the 15-minute city concept, and expanding pedestrian zones within residential neighborhoods.

"Projects increasingly use energy-efficient and water-saving solutions, as well as improved air and stormwater treatment systems and an increased area of light-transmitting structures. Furthermore, we see a growing interest from market participants in safe recycled products: small architectural forms made from recycled plastic, surfaces made from polymer crumb," said Maria Bevzyuk, Head of Investor Relations and Sustainable Development at the Etalon Group.

"In 2021, the Strategy for the Socio-Economic Development of the Russian Federation with Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions until 2050 was approved," clarifies Maria Bevzyuk. Based on the strategy and the global goal of achieving carbon neutrality, the industry is moving towards reducing emission levels during construction and operation stages and, consequently, towards tightening requirements for the architectural code. This refers to increasing the volume of greenery, two-tier landscaping separating commercial and residential zones, reducing building heights, and developing elements of green construction, the expert believes.

High-quality green landscaping is already a standard for any modern residential complex, without which no project is possible. An active growth in the popularity of usable green roofs is also observed in Russia—this is a response to the great need of cities to expand green zones. Their integration into the architecture itself makes buildings more multifunctional and environmentally friendly. Besides the positive impact on the environment and positive interaction with the natural biosystem, such roofs allow creating additional scenarios for using spaces in the project, which significantly improves the quality of human life.

Inspiration in Natural Forms

A conscious attitude towards nature is also reflected in the conceptual solutions of projects. Architects draw inspiration from natural forms and processes, striving to create buildings that are not only visually but also functionally harmonious, which do not conflict with nature but rather actively interact with it.

"The places where we create our objects are some of the most incredible corners of Russia, and perhaps the entire world. Designing in such territories is a huge responsibility. You come into contact and interact with centuries-old history hidden in every particle of this pristine nature. Therefore, while working on projects, we strive to create not just hotels where guests can relax during their travels—we realize a part of these impressions; the object becomes an extension of nature and the surrounding context," says Anna Kulikova, partner at FANTALIS Architects. "Any structural forms, shades and materials of finishes, furniture, and decor in the interior are conditioned by the identity of the locality in which we are designing the object." Contemporary architectural solutions are mostly based exclusively on the features of the landscape and climate.

Stronger and More Flexible

Manufacturers are also forced to improve their materials in response to changing climatic conditions and trends in architecture. For example, stronger and more flexible structures are being used that better withstand wind gusts and precipitation.

"New technologies in construction emerge and become popular for several reasons. The main trends, of course, are related to external factors, including climatic ones, which influence manufacturers," notes Elena Konchakova, Development Director at TEGOLA. For example, major innovations are noticeable in the production of roofing materials, and for good reason. The roof is the main element of any building, protecting it from external natural influences, so special attention and special requirements apply to it. Firstly, strength characteristics improve significantly, enabling the roof to withstand the elements. Secondly, the very flexibility of certain materials allows for the realization of unique shapes and concepts. "The naturalness of color solutions allows for easy integration of the project into the surrounding context—manufacturers are now moving away from bright shades towards natural ones," asserts Elena Konchakova.

Innovations in many modern building materials concern their thermal and waterproofing characteristics. Materials resistant to moisture and mold are being developed—this is especially relevant for regions with high humidity. Recycled or eco-friendly materials are also being introduced into construction, thereby reducing waste and negative impact on nature.

According to Sergey Markov, architect and co-founder of Bureau A4, the ESG agenda is not only not losing relevance but continues to actively attract developers, architects, and builders as an important factor in the industry's development. This is a sustainable trend that will be with us for a long time. It is no coincidence that in place of the previously used Western rating and certification systems, such as LEED and BREEAM, the Russian system for assessing the quality and sustainability of new construction projects, KLEVER, was promptly developed and implemented.

"In territorial development and public space projects, our bureau tries to use eco-friendly and natural materials. For example, in a project for a settlement for IT entrepreneurs, we offered buyers the option of finishing the roof of their future home with reed, and in a glamping project on the Istra Reservoir, the main components of the architectural design code became shingles, shakes, and ceramic products. Equally important in such projects is paying attention to local biodiversity. We preserve most of the large trees and shrubs already growing on the site," says Sergey Markov.

Climate changes continue to daily shape and transform our environment, lifestyle, and needs, and the architectural industry, in turn, adapts to these challenges through innovative solutions and unconventional concepts. Today, architectural thought is already moving towards constructing not just buildings resistant to climate cataclysms, but also those that help reduce humanity's negative impact on the planet. This is a new standard of comfort and quality of life, setting tasks for architects and builders to create a different, more sustainable image of the future.

Source: https://stroygaz.ru/publication/architecture/adaptatsiya-k-realnosti-kak-izmenenie-klimata-vliyaet-na-arkhitekturu/