Tag: building-performance | ArchDaily

Designing Quietly: Rethinking Architecture’s Overlooked Surface

Kiana Buchberger — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:09:40 +0000

The ceiling is one of the largest continuous surfaces in a space, yet why is it rarely the first architectural element people notice? Often perceived as the plane that conceals structure and building services, it quietly recedes into the background while facades, materials, structural systems, and furniture define a building's architectural identity. Yet few architectural elements influence the experience of a space as consistently as this one. The ceiling shapes how sound travels, how light is reflected, how air moves through a room, and ultimately how architecture is experienced, bringing together technical performance and architectural expression through a single continuous surface.

The Building in Motion: How Vertical Mobility Is Redefining Contemporary Architecture

Eduardo Souza — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:45:00 +0000

In 1743, a small cabin suspended by ropes was installed in a courtyard of the Palace of Versailles for the private use of King Louis XV. Manually operated by servants hidden from view, the so-called "flying chair" allowed movement between floors without stairs, and unknowingly introduced one of the central questions of modern architecture: how to move people vertically in a way that is efficient, safe, and integrated into the building.

The Architecture of Mold: What Buildings Cannot Control

Daniela Andino — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Contemporary architecture has learned to celebrate living matter. Mycelium panels, algae systems, living walls, life is now welcomed into buildings, framed as innovation. Yet the same discipline that celebrates these organisms treats mold as contamination. Both are biological. Both respond to moisture, temperature, and material conditions. The difference is not scientific. It is about which forms of life architecture is willing to accept, and which it prefers to remove.

Call for Entries: 2020 UK Passivhaus Awards

Rene Submissions — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 13:06:00 +0000

The 2020 UK Passivhaus Awards are free to enter for all certified Passivhaus & EnerPHit schemes that not only have architectural ambition but can also prove their impeccable eco credentials. We’re looking for ground-breaking schemes that will prove the Standard can tackle the climate crisis and create healthy environments.

Benefits of Entering:
• The UK Passivhaus Awards are the only dedicated awards for Passivhaus in the UK.
• All shortlisted projects in the awards will be promoted as exceptional examples of their sector through all the Passivhaus Trust marketing channels and the media.
• The shortlisted projects will be featured prominently on

Is Integrating Building Performance Difficult at Your Firm?

Megan Schires — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +0000

In a study recently published by AIA, less than 13% of architectural firms have incorporated building performance as part of their practice. With buildings contributing 40% of total carbon emissions leading to climate change, just 25 projects are roughly equivalent to planting 1 million trees each year. In addition to that, teams that are able to showcase data-driven and performance-driven decision-making and feature an energy analysis in every pursuit are able to increase fees and generate more revenue. Although integrating building performance sounds like a no-brainer, it proves to be difficult at many firms, because in addition to the practical changes, it requires a culture shift. That culture shift can only happen if the tools are easy to use, accurate, and mesh well with current workflows. Right now is the perfect time to tackle these culture changes due to a few reasons:

Ten Buildings Pushing The Boundaries of Wood

Andrew Galloway — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 01:00:00 +0000

Wood is the ultimate material - it's renewable, sequesters carbon and more importantly, it's buildable. Nevertheless wood is rarely used in tall, vertical construction. Now reThink wood has come out with their Tall Wood Survey (available in full on their website), which surveyed over 50 wood experts to explore three main areas in which wood is usually questioned: financing, insurance and performance. But beyond discussing the pros and cons of wood, the survey also highlights 10 projects that show how wood products are being used in ways you never thought existed. See all ten innovative projects, after the break.