Greenwashing in Architecture: Identifying False Sustainable Strategies

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Amid our ongoing battle against climate change, the need for authentic decarbonization strategies has never been more urgent. Professions, companies, and organizations worldwide face mounting pressure to integrate sustainable practices into their operations, particularly in response to recent climate challenges. The realm of architecture and urban planning is no exception. Phrases such as "sustainable architecture" and "green architecture" have gained widespread popularity, accompanied by various certifications, products, and advertising, all promising transformative advancements in the field that should align with our global aspirations for a sustainable future.

However, amidst this growing environmental awareness, another phenomenon has emerged: greenwashing. It refers to practices adopted by various sectors, especially those related to marketing strategies that present initiatives that convey a false impression or provide misleading information about how a company's products or projects are more environmentally friendly than they are when analyzed from a more critical and careful perspective.

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2023's Public Architecture in China: Exploring Emerging Hubs and Established Urban Centers

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In the dynamic landscape of contemporary urban development, public architecture is an essential force in reshaping cities. In fact, this element of urban regeneration can revitalize economies and reactivate surrounding commercial schemes. In this transformative era, cities across China have evolved into financial hubs, attracting world-renowned firms and architects who are redefining these skylines. In turn, these metropolises become embodiments of future innovation and lifestyle.

China's cities have become centers of modernity as a result of its explosive prominence in the world economy. These cities have become magnets for architectural marvels that go beyond simple functionality, from Shanghai's ceaseless reinvention to Beijing's cultural renaissance and Shenzhen's undeniable emergence as a global center in technology, research, manufacturing, business, economics, finance, tourism, and transportation, complete with the Port of Shenzhen, the world's fourth busiest container port. Overall, these cities are a crucial gateway in understanding the developing dynamics in metropolitan environments.

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Dolor y Gloria House / Alberto Pizzoli Architetto

Dolor y Gloria House / Alberto Pizzoli Architetto - Exterior Photography, Houses, Facade, DoorDolor y Gloria House / Alberto Pizzoli Architetto - Interior Photography, Houses, FacadeDolor y Gloria House / Alberto Pizzoli Architetto - Interior Photography, Houses, Door, Facade, ArchDolor y Gloria House / Alberto Pizzoli Architetto - Interior Photography, Houses, Kitchen, Table, Chair, CountertopDolor y Gloria House / Alberto Pizzoli Architetto - More Images+ 26

Villafranca di Verona, Italy
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  400
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2022
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  41zero42, Cielo, Colavene, Rimadesio, Schüco, +1
  • Professionals: NEF Ingegneria

House with Columns / Iñaki Harosteguy

House with Columns / Iñaki Harosteguy - Exterior Photography, Houses, Garden, FacadeHouse with Columns / Iñaki Harosteguy - Interior Photography, Houses, Beam, TableHouse with Columns / Iñaki Harosteguy - Interior Photography, Houses, Bathroom, Countertop, SinkHouse with Columns / Iñaki Harosteguy - Interior Photography, Houses, FacadeHouse with Columns / Iñaki Harosteguy - More Images+ 11

Villa Elisa, Argentina
  • Architects: Iñaki Harosteguy
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  210
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2022

Probably the Largest Brick Beam to Date: An Impressive Feat at the Danish Crown Headquarters

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Probably the Largest Brick Beam to Date: An Impressive Feat at the Danish Crown Headquarters - 28 的图像 4
Detail of brick beam composition

Brick beams have been widely used in construction due to their strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal. By embedding steel reinforcing bars into a series of bricks arranged in a specific pattern, these elements form horizontal load-bearing structures that distribute the weight and forces that act on a building. However, it is difficult to find brick beams with excessively large spans, in order to avoid long-term structural problems. Instead, they mostly come in the form of simple lintels, which can be easier to handle.

With a length of 16.2 meters and an impressive clear span of 15.8 meters, CEBRA architects have collaborated with the Randers Tegl group, the largest brick supplier in Scandinavia, to complete the construction of probably the longest brick beam to date. This exterior beam is accompanied by a 13-meter-span interior "sister" beam and is located above the main entrance to the Danish Crown's new headquarters in Randers, Denmark, extending freely between two of the building's wings. The longest beam is made up of almost 4,200 bricks – its height is made up of 25 rows of bricks, equivalent to 1.6 meters, and its edge consists of 4 bricks.

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De Chill House / X11 Design Studio

De Chill House / X11 Design Studio - Exterior Photography, Houses, Garden, Facade
© Hoang Le

De Chill House / X11 Design Studio - Exterior Photography, Houses, FacadeDe Chill House / X11 Design Studio - Interior Photography, Houses, Door, Facade, TableDe Chill House / X11 Design Studio - Exterior Photography, Houses, Garden, FacadeDe Chill House / X11 Design Studio - Exterior Photography, Houses, FacadeDe Chill House / X11 Design Studio - More Images+ 30

  • Architects: X11 Design Studio
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  260
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2022
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  AutoDesk, Dulux, TAIWAN TOTO CO.,LTD., Xingfa

AIRSIDE / Snøhetta

AIRSIDE / Snøhetta - Exterior Photography, Retail , Facade, CityscapeAIRSIDE / Snøhetta - Exterior Photography, Retail , Garden, Facade, CityscapeAIRSIDE / Snøhetta - Interior Photography, Retail AIRSIDE / Snøhetta - Drawings, Retail , Facade, ArchAIRSIDE / Snøhetta - More Images+ 15

Chapel of Music / Vector Architects

Chapel of Music / Vector Architects - Exterior Photography, Chapel, FacadeChapel of Music / Vector Architects - Exterior Photography, Chapel, FacadeChapel of Music / Vector Architects - Exterior Photography, Chapel, FacadeChapel of Music / Vector Architects - Interior Photography, Chapel, ChairChapel of Music / Vector Architects - More Images+ 37

Qinhuangdao, China

Liminal House / Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses

Liminal House / Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses - Exterior Photography, Houses, Facade
© Hufton+Crow

Liminal House / Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses - Exterior Photography, Houses, Courtyard, FacadeLiminal House / Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses - Exterior Photography, Houses, Garden, FacadeLiminal House / Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses - Interior Photography, Houses, TableLiminal House / Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses - Interior Photography, Houses, Facade, Table, ChairLiminal House / Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses - More Images+ 50

West Vancouver, Canada

An Office and Two Houses / Loader Monteith

An Office and Two Houses / Loader Monteith - Exterior Photography, Houses, FacadeAn Office and Two Houses / Loader Monteith - Exterior Photography, Houses, Facade, DoorAn Office and Two Houses / Loader Monteith - Interior Photography, Houses, Stairs, DoorAn Office and Two Houses / Loader Monteith - Interior Photography, Houses, TableAn Office and Two Houses / Loader Monteith - More Images+ 36

Inverness, United Kingdom

2005_MNB House / Gabrielle Vinson Architecte

2005_MNB House / Gabrielle Vinson Architecte - Exterior Photography, Renovation, Garden, Facade2005_MNB House / Gabrielle Vinson Architecte - Interior Photography, Renovation, Kitchen, Countertop, Lighting, Table2005_MNB House / Gabrielle Vinson Architecte - Interior Photography, Renovation, Table2005_MNB House / Gabrielle Vinson Architecte - Interior Photography, Renovation, Kitchen, Chair2005_MNB House / Gabrielle Vinson Architecte - More Images+ 17

Toulouse, France

Draaier op Oostenburg Apartments / BETA office for architecture and the city

Draaier op Oostenburg Apartments / BETA office for architecture and the city - Exterior Photography, Apartments, Facade, CityscapeDraaier op Oostenburg Apartments / BETA office for architecture and the city - Exterior Photography, Apartments, Facade, CityscapeDraaier op Oostenburg Apartments / BETA office for architecture and the city - Interior Photography, Apartments, Chair, Lighting, TableDraaier op Oostenburg Apartments / BETA office for architecture and the city - Interior Photography, Apartments, Door, TableDraaier op Oostenburg Apartments / BETA office for architecture and the city - More Images+ 56

Java and Jam Pavilions / i/thee

Java and Jam Pavilions / i/thee - Exterior Photography, Sustainability & Green Design, GardenJava and Jam Pavilions / i/thee - Drawings, Sustainability & Green DesignJava and Jam Pavilions / i/thee - Exterior Photography, Sustainability & Green Design, GardenJava and Jam Pavilions / i/thee - Exterior Photography, Sustainability & Green DesignJava and Jam Pavilions / i/thee - More Images+ 21

  • Architects: i/thee
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  200 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2023
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Behr, Bon Tool, Elmer's, Grasshopper 3D, Karamba3D, +5

Winners of the Media Architecture Biennale 2023 Student Awards

The Media Architecture Biennale Student Awards recognize the world’s best student projects at the intersection of architecture, urban design and planning, media and interaction design, and urban media art.

Nana House / Jean Benoît Vétillard Architecture

Nana House / Jean Benoît Vétillard Architecture - Exterior Photography, Houses, Patio, Facade, Door, Chair
© Giaime Meloni

Nana House / Jean Benoît Vétillard Architecture - Exterior Photography, Houses, Garden, Door, FacadeNana House / Jean Benoît Vétillard Architecture - Interior Photography, Houses, Facade, ChairNana House / Jean Benoît Vétillard Architecture - Interior Photography, Houses, Facade, Column, Beam, Door, ArchNana House / Jean Benoît Vétillard Architecture - Interior Photography, Houses, Stairs, FacadeNana House / Jean Benoît Vétillard Architecture - More Images+ 19

Bagnolet, France

District Office Police / Bovenbouw

District Office Police / Bovenbouw - Exterior Photography, Office Buildings, FacadeDistrict Office Police / Bovenbouw - Interior Photography, Office Buildings, Facade, Beam, Chair, TableDistrict Office Police / Bovenbouw - Interior Photography, Office Buildings, Door, FacadeDistrict Office Police / Bovenbouw - Interior Photography, Office Buildings, Kitchen, Table, Chair, Lighting, CountertopDistrict Office Police / Bovenbouw - More Images+ 25

  • Architects: Bovenbouw
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  917
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2022

Landscape Design of Shanghai Suhe MixC World / Lab D+H

Landscape Design of Shanghai Suhe MixC World / Lab D+H - Exterior Photography, Landscape Architecture, Garden, FacadeLandscape Design of Shanghai Suhe MixC World / Lab D+H - Exterior Photography, Landscape Architecture, Facade, CityscapeLandscape Design of Shanghai Suhe MixC World / Lab D+H - Exterior Photography, Landscape Architecture, Arch, CityscapeLandscape Design of Shanghai Suhe MixC World / Lab D+H - Exterior Photography, Landscape Architecture, CityscapeLandscape Design of Shanghai Suhe MixC World / Lab D+H - More Images+ 19

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