The American Institute of Architects conference in Boston marked a shift towards practical, sustainability-oriented work, with architects focusing on retrofits rather than new construction. This trend is driven by the need for climate action and decarbonization.
“The most urgent thing that’s on our plate right now is climate action, and that we have to decarbonize very rapidly,” said Carl Elefante, author of Going for Zero: Decarbonizing the Built Environment on the Path to Our Urban Future. The industry is moving towards a more environmentally conscious approach, with a focus on reworking existing buildings to make them more energy-efficient and socially responsible.
Advances in technology are facilitating retrofits, including software like Gensler’s Conversions+ that helps determine the viability of converting office buildings to residential use. The CARE Tool (Carbon Avoided: Retrofit Estimator) measures the environmental benefits of renovations.
“Architecture is becoming less about individual expression and more about collective responsibility,” said Harry Cliffe-Roberts, building transformation and adaptive reuse leader at Gensler. Firms like Gensler are excelling in gut rehabs, and architects are prioritizing sustainability over aesthetics.
The shift towards retrofits is also influencing architecture education, with institutions like Northeastern University and Carnegie Mellon University weaving practical elements into their curriculum.
Image Courtesy: bloomberg.com
