John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
Experts have estimated that 30 percent of the world's annual carbon emissions are linked to the built environment. This is largely due to its reliance on fossil fuels for materials like cement and steel, as well as for heating and cooling buildings. This statistic has placed architects at the center of discussions about sustainability, according to Jeanne Gang, architect and founding partner of Studio Gang. During a discussion at Stanford University on January 16, Gang said, “We’ve been occupied with this question about what is the most powerful way for architecture to play a role in sustainability.” She added, “The way we build is key to zero carbon.”
The event was part of Big Ideas in Sustainability, a series hosted by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. Dean Arun Majumdar emphasized the need for society to rethink construction and urban planning. He noted that through design, Jeanne Gang draws insights from ecological systems to create places connecting people with their communities and environment.
Studio Gang is an architecture firm headquartered in Chicago with offices in San Francisco, New York, and Paris. In 2023, it was selected to design Stanford's Sustainability Commons, aligning with the university’s goals for zero waste by 2030 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Gang highlighted her studio's focus on increasing urban density as a means of reducing carbon emissions while creating stronger communities. She mentioned making urban areas more walkable and using bio-based building materials as strategies architects can employ.
She described architecture as "a catalytic force" that inspires environmental action beyond designing individual buildings. Her studio's work on revitalizing the Chicago riverfront serves as an example of how architecture can inspire citizen action.
Gang also discussed building reuse through "grafting," borrowing from horticulture practices. This approach involves improving existing structures rather than merely preserving them. She cited Studio Gang’s renovation work at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and New York City's American Museum of Natural History as examples.
Reflecting on recent natural disasters like wildfires in Southern California and floods in North Carolina, Sarah Billington asked if such events have influenced Gang's design philosophy regarding resilience in architecture. Gang responded that these disasters have heightened her interest in building resilient communities.
For architects interested in sustainable practices, she stressed listening to local communities and creating visions informed by their needs while being resilient against future risks.
Questions from registrants led Gang to discuss overcoming barriers to sustainable building in the U.S., aligning with clients' values, using local materials, among other topics. A student’s question about her biggest concern for architecture’s future prompted Gang to express worry over young architects moving away from the field due to its environmental impact perception.
“I’ve seen people that love the environment are going away from architecture because they feel that we’re the bad guys,” she said. She noted a movement among young architects in France refusing new builds due to similar concerns but emphasized that growing populations still require innovative architectural solutions.
This story was originally published by Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.
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