Climate justice in architecture
Discover climate justice in architecture—design that centers both the environmental and social aspects of climate change in the design process, approach to community engagement, and final design.
Integrating climate justice into design
Climate justice in architecture is a design approach that centers both the environmental and social aspects of climate change. It encompasses engagement, advocacy, planning, and design that draw down emissions; build resilience and capacity; support human, cultural, and ecological health; and protect all communities in the face of climate change.
Climate change creates new—and amplifies existing—environmental and social challenges across seven categories: Social determinants of health, cultural connection to place, economic development without displacement, environmental justice, ecosystem health, climate change health and resilience, and decarbonization.
The Climate Justice in Architecture Taxonomy helps design teams respond to these challenges by centering both environmental and social aspects of climate change across three scales of impact: Building occupants, the surrounding neighborhood, and regionally and globally. The taxonomy aligns with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, which represents the defining principles of design excellence in the 21st century. The framework is comprised of 10 principles and informs progress toward four outcomes: A zero-carbon, healthy, resilient, and equitable built environment.
- Social determinants of health: Social factors that cause, are associated with, or induce a health outcome. - Adapted from Last JM, ed. A Dictionary of Public Health. First Edition. Oxford University Press; 2007.
- Cultural connection to place: Design that engages with the natural & cultural environment of a place, including its history, climate, and people. - Adapted from the AIA Framework for Design Excellence—Design for Integration.
- Economic development without causing displacement: Design that supports a vibrant local economy, maintains diverse populations, and supports local resources and trades. - Adapted from the AIA Framework for Design Excellence—Design for Economy.
- Environmental justice: Design that reduces exposure to environmental hazards, particularly in neighborhoods with a history of industrial pollution. - Adapted from the EPA definition.
- Ecosystem health: Design that supports ecological health and thriving ecosystems at a multitude of scales. - Adapted from the AIA Framework for Design Excellence—Design for Ecosystems.
- Climate change health and resilience: Design that supports infrastructure and society to anticipate, absorb, accommodate, or recover from the effects of a hazardous event in a timely and efficient manner, including through ensuring the preservation, restoration, or improvements of its essential basic structures and functions. - Adapted from the AIA Resilience Design Toolkit.
- Decarbonization: Design that reduces a building’s use of fossil fuels for electricity and its carbon impact across its lifecycle. - Adapted from AIA Framework for Design Excellence—Design for Energy & Resources.
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Tom HoldsworthBaltimore Unity Hall by Ziger|Snead in Baltimore, MD. -
Robert Benson PhotographyFrost Terrace by Bruner/Cott in Cambridge, MA. -
+lab Architect PLLC, Eric SoltanHurricane Strong Home by +lab Architect PLLC in New York, NY. -
Kevin ScottLouisiana Children’s Museum by Mithun in New Orleans, LA. -
ODOT and ZGFI-5 Rose Quarter by Oregon Department of Transportation and ZGF in Portland, OR. -
Cameron Campbell, Integrated StudioThe Stanley Center for Peace and Security by Neumann Monson Architects in Muscatine, Iowa. -
Chris LukerWilliams Terrace by David Baker Architects in Charleston, SC.
Climate justice in architecture case studies
Individual case study resources will be released soon—please check back for updates.
The following case studies represent exemplary architecture projects demonstrating the seven attributes of climate justice in architecture across three scales: Building, neighborhood, and regional/global. Their diversity in location, size, and project type exemplifies the opportunity for every architecture project to center both the environmental and social aspects of climate change in its design process, approach to community engagement, and final design.
Baltimore Unity Hall
Location: Baltimore, MD
Architect: Ziger|Snead Architects
Building program type: Commercial/industrial
Frost Terrace Housing
Location: Cambridge, MA
Architect: Bruner/Cott Architects
Building program type: Affordable housing
Hurricane Strong Home
Location: Queens, NY
Architect: +lab Global
Building program type: Single family housing
I-5 Rose Quarter Independent Cover Assessment
Location: Portland, OR
Architect: ZGF
Building program type: Urban design
Louisiana Children’s Museum
Location: New Orleans, LA
Architect: Mithun
Building program type: Cultural
Santa Monica City Hall East Building
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Architect: Frederick Fisher and Partners
Building program type: Civic (office)
Sealaska Heritage Institute Arts Campus
Location: Juneau, AK
Architect: MRV Architects
Building program type: Cultural
Stanley Center for Peace & Security
Location: Muscatine, IA
Architect: Neumann Monson Architects
Building program type: Non-profit (office)
The Haven Domestic Violence Shelter
Location: Bozeman, MT
Architect: MASS Design Group
Building program type: Multifamily/social services
Williams Terrace Senior Housing
Location: Charleston, SC
Architect: David Baker Architects
Building program type: Senior affordable housing