The buildings and construction sector is by far the largest emitter of greenhouse gases worldwide, according to the UN Environment Program, accounting for 37% of emissions. Many of these emissions come from the production and use of materials such as cement, steel and aluminum. By 2050, 2.3 billion new inhabitants will move to the planet’s cities. If we keep building as we do now, this will triple the amount of land covered by constructed environments.
What if the making of global buildings and cities could instead become a force to incentivize environmental restoration, reverse climate change, and enhance biodiversity? “Regenerative building” is a new approach that empowers makers of built environments to pursue radical reductions in the consumption of raw materials, non-renewable energy, and waste.
“The Planetary Solutions grant allowed us to take research that we’d done and actually build and systematize a new structural product,” said Alan Organschi, Professor at the Yale School of Architecture and Director of the Building Lab. “Building a prototype allows people to see it, experience it, and understand it.”
As part of the project, a three-day educational symposium titled, “Building a Planetary Solution,” was held at the Yale School of Architecture. A diverse array of leading thinkers and makers convened to examine, debate, and discuss the materials, means, methods, and potential benefits of a new regenerative paradigm for the building sector. Students at the symposium presented a prototype they created that uses an innovative, locally sourced earthen brick.
“If we use regional materials to build buildings and develop new workforces, there’s economic benefit, there’s the benefit of creating more housing and better-quality housing, there’s more opportunity for production of buildings. And ideally, those buildings would become material banks for future construction,” said Alan. “There are people at every step of the way in industry, policy, and finance who want to pursue this. The convening power of Planetary Solutions is significant, especially when it’s backed by Yale.”
The project also resulted in a seminar on regenerative building that was offered to Yale students.
“This project has been a highlight for me through my academic career, and it’s something I’ll keep with me as I move forward,” said Mariah Langlois ‘25, who worked on the project as a student in the Master of Architecture program. “Working with external partners especially was something that helped me prepare for my future. I think there should be more opportunities for students to work on things like this.”