I am a registered architect. As an active contributor to one of the most damaging industries to our climate (construction & building systems), I often daydream about pivoting careers into something more productive for the planet. I’m not talking about stuff like green washing or ~LEED accreditation~. Even sustainably-focused jobs are hard to come by and usually pretty regionally specific. Architects have a broad set of skills, and it’s not always clear where I can take those skills and put them to better use.

Any thoughts/insight would be appreciated as I hop into my mid-life crisis before 30.

  • cerement@slrpnk.net
    1·
    1 year ago

    two areas to look into – for the low tech approach, traditional building in your area and passive solar building – for the high tech approach, Passive House

    for actual application, usually more a matter of focusing on generalizations

    • insulation (and superinsulation) – thick walls, extra insulation, air gaps, double- or triple-pane windows
    • avoiding thermal bridges – ie. direct connections between inside and outside allowing heat to conduct into the house in summer or escape the house in winter
    • thermal masses (“heat batteries”) – thick slabs to store heat during the day and release it at night
    • window overhangs that still allow natural sunlight in winter but shade windows in summer