DomusAir: The Climate Challenge

The tenth edition of Domus Air, a publication by Editoriale Domus with Scientific Direction from the Oneworks Foundation, explores the contemporary issues related to climate change.

As Editorial Director Walter Mariotti, points out, this issue brings focus to climate Change by framing the topic as a ‘Climate Challenge’. Which is not just a play on words. It is emphasising the importance of viewing climate change as an arena for innovation and creativity. It encourages the utilization of imagination, innovation, cultural initiatives, and the bravery to integrate systems and enterprise in addressing the complexities of climate change. It is advocating for a proactive and collaborative response to one of the most pressing global issues.  

This perspective aligns with the latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a UN body dedicated to assessing the state of Earth’s climate. In March 2023, alongside the release of its most recent Synthesis Report, the IPCC states: “there are multiple, feasible and effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change, and they are available now”. This highlights the balance between recognizing the urgency of the situation and acknowledging the potential for positive change through immediate and concerted efforts to secure a liveable sustainable future for all.

Sandra Piesik and a team of experts provide a thought-provoking exploration of the interplay between architecture and the environment in their book “Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Climate.” This work examines the role of vernacular architecture and regional artisans worldwide in shaping a sustainable future. It highlights the deep relationship between the planet’s five major climate zones, their ecosystems, and the built environment, which have coexisted as a ‘functional unit”. A prime example of this concept in modern architecture is the newly constructed terminal at Bengaluru Airport in India. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), this terminal is noted for its meticulous use of local materials and its design that seamlessly integrates with nature, creating an ambiance akin to walking in a forest. This project exemplifies how contemporary architecture can draw inspiration from traditional practices to create structures that are in harmony with their natural surroundings. 

But it is not only a matter of construction methods and materials to reduce the carbon footprint. It also involves designing complex projects that envision the future and encourage ecologically responsible social behaviors. In this context, projects focusing on intermodality, like the revamped multi-station in Washington by Grimshaw Architects and the Kaohsiung Station in Taiwan designed by Mecanoo, are particularly significant. These projects, along with the development of greenways, are crucial in promoting the use of public transport and non-motorized forms of mobility, such as walking and cycling, and represent a holistic approach to urban development to create sustainable choices. 

To instill a sense of optimism and reinforce that it’s not too late to change our environmental trajectory, DomusAir interviewed Giuseppe Grezzi, who in the last 8 years, has revolutionised the mobility of Valencia. A transformation that contributed to the city receiving the European Green Capital Award 2024 for its significant achievements in environmental protection. Giuseppe’s activity exemplifies how mobility can be sustainable, highlighting that reducing emissions is achievable, and technology is a crucial ally when used appropriately. 

This theme of leveraging technology and innovation is central not only to DomusAir’s editorial focus but also to DomusAir ON, the inaugural live event. This event was held on October 19 in one of the newly constructed and impressive hangars at Milan Bergamo Airport. It serves as a platform to showcase and discuss these critical issues, emphasizing the role of technology and innovative thinking in shaping a sustainable future.  

The conference, jointly hosted by Milan Bergamo Airport and DomusAir, proposed an intriguing idea about airports, considering them as anthropized infrastructures that serve as successful centers for the harmonious integration of physical and digital elements. This perspective views airports as incubators or laboratories, where the systems of physical and digital networks converge and collaborate. These systems, on a larger scale, form the backbone of metropolitan areas. 

Giulio De Carli, Scientific Director of DomusAir and DomusAir ON, echoes this notion in his editorial: “Airports as energy and service production hubs, by optimising the use of land, resources and process management, are one of the most effective and scalable representations of how we should work to turn the climate around” 

Pick up your copy with the latest edition of Domus Magazine and follow some of the key stories at DomusWeb.it.