Recently, we asked Tommaso Bitossi to explain “sufficiency before efficiency,” a core philosophy of Transsolar, where he works as an associate partner. “It’s about looking at how efficiency, in the past, has failed us,” he said. “In other words, our computers now are much more efficient than in 1995. However, now we have two laptops per person, one iPad, one smartphone et cetera…Or, our servers are now cooled very efficiently, but with the advent of A.I., we are exponentially increasing our need for data storage and computational power.”

The gist: We need to craft our spaces to employ passive strategies for thermal comfort — and that means making the most of the site and climate, of natural light and breezes, and choosing materials and processes that are easy on the Earth. This approach can then be augmented by new technologies, systems and means of reducing — or neutralizing — the carbon footprint of a building’s construction and operations. First, let’s accomplish more through good design.

Good design is synonymous with climate-conscious design in our Nov/Dec 2024 edition, which coincides with our inaugural Human/Nature conference, where Bitossi is a speaker. In our special climate issue, we spend time with Pat Hanson, whose Toronto firm, Gh3*, has brought profound beauty to urban infrastructure. (Beauty is also a need, and one that — together with sustainability, affordability, equity, inclusivity and many other exigencies — should be part of every brief.) We also feature an innovative social housing project in Spain by Peris+Toral, a Barcelona firm that bridges sustainability and affordability; and we speak with the activist architect Andrés Jaque about embracing complexity in order to better understand the myriad overlapping systems at work in any design undertaking.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Detroit’s Cultural Renaissance

How the Library Street Collective is building resilience into the city’s arts scene.

Good Works

Six inspiring projects around the world designed with a climate lens.

Delicious Circularity

In Madrid, SelgasCano creates a stunning restaurant with a sustainable ethos.

Emerging Eco Materials

The latest building blocks and finishes for a fully green fit-out.

Holiday Gift Guide

Thoughtful – and design-savvy – recommendations for your holiday list.