There’s plenty of talk about climate these days and lots of questions are being asked, especially in Florida, across the southern coastal states in the United States, and in other subtropical and tropical environments around the world.

• Is the weather changing?

• Were the king tides higher this past month?

• Has rainfall increased?

• Should we anticipate greater storm surges during hurricanes?

• And, are these potential changes a result of greater greenhouse gases?

We’ve learned that the carbon produced by buildings — in the construction of them, the materials used to build them, and the energy used to heat, cool, and light them — is responsible for more than 40% of all greenhouse gases.

Current thinking is the “greenhouse effect” is a contributing factor to these climate issues and questions.

For professionals engaged in the building and construction industry, from architecture and design through engineering, construction, and materials suppliers, we must answer one question:

Is it time to take a good look at how we can design and construct buildings that combat the greenhouse effect, are more resilient, and inevitably, more sustainable for the future?

Learning from the Past

As an architect, my personal fixation on the climate discussion has led me to think about building techniques in Southwest Florida, and how the materials and methods have changed over the past hundred years.

I often find myself studying older buildings to understand what works and what doesn’t and what we can learn from the past.

A generation or two ago, our parents and grandparents arrived in Florida from the north, bringing with them their knowledge and experience of building from another place. Generally, they put up buildings “just like back home.”

OK, perhaps the style of the building wasn’t exactly the same as back home. Here in Florida, with no freeze/thaw cycle, it was possible to use barrel tile roofs and stucco, which reflected the ideal vision they had of living in a warm climate. Similarly, using lighter colors and bamboo-styled furniture, it was possible to live the dream of a resort lifestyle.

However, construction methods and materials initially remained the same as up north, ignoring both the realities and the opportunities of our sunny climate.

Yet they kept building, “If it worked there, it was sure to work here!” Or so they believed.

However, time and experience have made it apparent that the construction approach brought from other places doesn’t work in this humid and wet climate where the wind and rain can blow at 170 mph and the sun’s rays can melt the asphalt on a roof. Ultimately, that transplanted approach would lead to problems and require re-thinking and local response.

Building for the Future

Eventually, construction practices did begin to respond and evolve to adapt for this subtropical location and its specific climate challenges. For example, building codes now ensure we strap our buildings together and tie them to the ground to minimize damage caused by strong winds. Impact glass in doors and window can now resist flying debris smashing into them with the incredible force of a hurricane.

Energy has also become a critical factor. In Florida, we insulate our buildings not to keep the cold out but to keep it in. But experience is teaching us, as insulation increases, the ingress of heat is reduced, but so is the ability of a building to breathe and, dry out — imperative to preventing mold in a humid climate. As a result, we’ve increased our dependency on mechanical systems, i.e. air conditioner units and dehumidifiers. To maximize the efficiency of these mechanical systems, new buildings must be airtight and gaps in existing buildings filled. Yet, while this solves one problem, it leads to new problems.

It’s become a cycle where mechanical systems use more energy and contribute more carbon emissions. And, these stronger and energy-responsive buildings come at a price. Buildings here now demand good materials and highly-skilled workmanship, so costs rise.

Leading to Resilience

That 40% contribution to greenhouse gases is a significant amount that must to be considered. Globally, nationally, and even locally, the building and construction industry needs to be thinking about what’s the next step in advancing building design, methods, and materials that will make for more resilient construction in Southwest Florida.

As an organization, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is facing this challenge head-on and as architects we believe that it must be a shared effort. AIA released a statement to its members that takes a stand on the future of building in communities across the county, stating that architects must be unequivocally prepared to aid in addressing the way we design and build going forward. (Click here to read the AIA statement on resilience and climate leadership)

The goal is to prioritize and support the efforts of those in the industry, in the both the design and construction of buildings, that will reduce carbon emissions and make a pledge to net-zero designs (buildings that omit zero carbon) by 2050.

That’s a tall order. But we are committed to meet these goals.

Better Solutions & Lasting Benefits

As architects, our comprehensive understanding of passive design methods, technology advances in energy systems, and the thoughtful use of more local low-impact materials make us uniquely positioned to work with owners, developers, and contractors to make a collective difference. And we are redirecting our resources and energy to assist the industry and Building Officials to change legislation so new codes will mandate better building practices and mitigate the potential effects of a changing climate.

It makes economic sense to design and construct low-maintenance and energy-efficient structures built for longevity and a sustainable future. This approach also saves maintenance costs in the long run, reduces running costs, and deters insurance companies from increasing premiums when our buildings become a risk in this now fluctuating situation.

Whether you are a climate change believer or not, we will all benefit if we build better and become good stewards of our delicate Florida ecosystem.

Joyce Owens, FAIA RIBA

Joyce Owens FAIA, RIBA, an award-winning international architect, was the recipient of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida’s 2022 Gold Medal, recognizing her leadership and impact as an architect. In 2020, she received the AIA Florida Medal of Honor for Design. She was elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 2018. Joyce is a member of AIA National’s Strategic Council tasked with identifying opportunities and threats to the profession.