We can build buildings with zero footprint

“Buildings meeting standards in terms of ventilation and air purification would significantly reduce the transmission of the COVID-19 virus,” said during the conference VELUX Build for Life Joseph Allen, assistant professor and director of the Healthy Buildings Program at Harvard University. During the architectural forum (November 15-17) focused on the future more than 90 speakers presented the latest results of their research on healthy buildings in the post-COVID era, sustainable architecture, and the role of the construction industry in reducing carbon footprint.

Juri Troy - Sunlighthouse, Source: Adam Mork

Joseph G. Allen

"When you read about an outbreak, it usually originates inside a building, in poorly ventilated spaces... Buildings that have quality ventilation, air purification, and other control elements, are outbreaks very rarely, if at all occur,” said Joseph Allen, who shared the virtual stage with John Macomber, another speaker from Harvard University. They discussed the latest research and scientific consensus on creating healthy environments in buildings not only in the post-pandemic era.

Harvard professors also shared the results of their new global study examining the impact of outdoor air pollution on employees' cognitive abilities. “In this study, we empirically demonstrated that even if outdoor air pollution is high, if you operate your system correctly – have good filters, quality ventilation – you can dramatically reduce the level of air pollution indoors. If you manage your building correctly, it can become an oasis. You can completely disconnect from what is happening outside,” said Allen, who is an expert on the impacts of indoor environmental quality on human health and perception. He added that according to another study they conducted, lower levels of pollution not only led to better cognitive abilities but also had significant health benefits, including a reduction in hospitalizations and cardiovascular diseases.

Wood will play a key role in 21st-century architecture

The Build for Life conference – an event held in the Danish capital and streamed online – brought together experts from the construction and architecture fields as well as global thought leaders. They jointly discussed the major challenges and opportunities in today's construction sector and explored the impact of daylight on creating healthy and resilient buildings.

Juri Troy

The presentation by Austrian architect Juri Troy focused on why good design is essential for sustainability and longevity. “Wherever possible, we must build more from renewable materials. This is the only way to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint for our buildings,” he explained, also pointing out that properly utilized wood absorbs carbon. According to the Austrian architect, wood will play a key role in 21st-century architecture. “In the future, we should only build in a way that contributes to climate improvement. Architecture should not be a problem generator but part of the solution,” Troy added, whose flagship project is the 100% carbon-neutral house – Sunlighthouse – built in Austria in 2010.

Synus Linge

Synus Linge, co-founder and creative director of EFFEKT Architects, was among the speakers who shared significant housing paradoxes explored by his team. The sustainability paradox is that while the urban population grows and the housing stock doubles, we must achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 to avoid dramatic climate changes. The affordability paradox means that the number of households will double by 2050 – addressing housing for 3 billion people – but only 7% have access to its financing. The life paradox lies in the fact that even though we live closer together and are more connected, depression is the most widespread illness in the world. Therefore, the Danish architect focuses his work on healthy housing.

At the conference, he presented his latest project, which he is collaborating on with VELUX – “Living places Copenhagen.” Its goal is to demonstrate that it is practically possible to design and build homes that are healthy for both people and the planet. “What if our homes could improve the health of both people and the planet through careful selection of materials, building methods, services, and design of indoor and outdoor spaces? This includes access to daylight: How do we get the right type of daylight and how do we connect with nature through windows?” he asked, adding that with the solutions we have available today, we can radically reduce the burden caused by buildings – by about 70-75%. The project will show the transformation from isolation (individual suburban houses) to community, which according to the architect's research is desired by many Danes.

The construction industry produces nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions

The conference was opened with a speech by David Briggs, CEO of the VELUX group, who had just arrived from the 2021 UN climate change conference (COP26). He was pleased to note that regarding climate change “a lot was said about the role of construction and the environment.” It has been known for some time that the construction industry produces nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions.

“We hope to inspire others... We want to provide any assistance we can. We want to help the construction industry in building partnerships so we can address these challenges... And we want to help create comfort for the people who live in these buildings,” said Briggs, adding that VELUX's goal is to reduce its carbon footprint and demonstrate that such a reduction is also possible in construction. The company therefore announced a sustainability strategy last year with ambitious goals, including achieving lifetime carbon neutrality by 2041. David Briggs also presented the Build For Life Compass model, which aims to translate ideas into practice. He has worked at VELUX for three decades and has witnessed how knowledge gathering – through partnerships with researchers and architects – has become “part of VELUX's DNA.”

Many of the presentations and panel discussions featuring leading names from the construction sector can be viewed for free HERE.