TED 
If we’re going to solve the climate crisis, we need to talk about construction. The four main building materials that humans currently use — concrete, steel, masonry and wood — have a heavy environmental impact, but what if we had a fifth option? Architect Michael Green proposes an entirely new, natural medium inspired by the structure of trees and plants. Learn more about the carbon-sequestering solution to our construction conundrum that’s laying the groundwork for a truly sustainable future.
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Thank you for making my dreams about sustainable construction more practical and easier for me to talk about with my peers. We need sustainable construction for our humanity and our world. I will most likely be rewatching this video.
Love this idea. But not convinced that the Empire State building made of Wood would still be standing 90+ years later …
What if there's a fire? In Middle Age they also used wood and plants to build their houses and I don't think it was so funny😅
But this really opened my eyes, I didn't know that buildings are that bad for the environment…😮
What about earthquakes? Are fires not spread more easily as well ?
Boring video to see in 2070's. Revolutionary in 2020's
Is it a fire hazard?
What does he mean with "clearing" the understory of a forest? Does he mean that understory can be easily be cleared as a kind of waste, unnecessary for the forest so "our company" shall use it instead?? I would believe he is directly advocating for an effective way of killing forests …😓 Save the industry or save human life on this planet, unfortunately at this point (and at least in this case), it is not reasonable to believe that you can do both.
but every organic product have something fucked up behind manufacture
What about technology for a such material and form? Is that not counting as a future waste as well!!! Why people ignoring one fact, the cost of growing new trees is so minimal compared to all innovations, and no one is telling about it! That because it is not profitable compared to new materials with new machines to create them and maintain!!
Let’s go!
So profound! Need more of this👏
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
00:41 🌍 Sustainability is crucial in architecture due to the significant carbon footprint of the building industry, with homes being major contributors to emissions.
01:48 🏆 Sustainability should be embedded in all architecture, rather than being treated as a separate category, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach in design.
04:47 🏡 Longevity is a key factor in the sustainability equation, challenging the conventional rating system that often focuses on immediate technological features and materials.
09:17 🔄 Sustainability, by its nature, opposes consumerism, but the current trend commodifies sustainability, turning it into a product to be bought and sold rather than a mindset.
13:46 💡 Future-proofing buildings involves weighing upfront costs against ongoing running costs, emphasizing the importance of getting the basics right in architecture.
Made with HARPA AI
Who is going to cut the wood and work it in such shapes. The environmental friendly material takes a non environmental amount of energy for the crafting of such material.
this was so inspiring
Lime stabilized adobe or compressed earth blocks are masonry with a low carbon footprint
i recite this speech for my NSDA program 😀
Boring for Germans. We have done this for a long time. On top solar panels and heat pump. The office locks horrible for me: too loud, too busy, no privacy.
As a structural engineer for more than 10 years, this again proved that architects are all delusional.
What about Bamboo?
When the Bauhaus architects determined that form follows function, they probably never imagined that that principle would ultimately lead to true Art Nouveau.
Yea, let's cut down more trees to try and be "carbon neutral". Real backwards logic.
Not to mention, you can't build skyscrapers out of wood. Claiming that you can is blatant BS.
"People need to decide to do so" that is correct if there wasn't so much brain washing that causes people to make terrible choices for themselves and the planet🌎
People don't think about the toxic chemicals they're buying and using in their homes. And for ex. All the toxic lab-made scented crap spewing out of their dryer vents constantly and polluting animals, wildlife, waterways, and the very air we all breath! So incredibly sick and sad. Death by a thousand cuts😞
👌 i dont have word to describe how good is this
It is sad that the lecture didn't cover a variety of eco-friendly materials. It is so one-dimensional to use mud as a binding agent for binding sustainable materials and wood as a building material, so there is a need to change or think more. The first is to rule out a negative view of chemically modified products and have the potential to invest. I was worried about the time to reach 'where we need to be' in the middle of the lecture, but I think it's worth investing. And secondly, it's a structure that has to rely on only one or two materials. The eco-friendly material presented is only wood, and if you think negatively about the rest, you should know the substitute, but it was a pity that this point was not presented. Natural structural beauty is efficient, beautiful, and futuristic. I'm looking forward to the technology that will be developed in the future.
very good presentation and i want to see more nature based solutions, to mass adaptation on climate change is very different concept from make nice looking buildings
We appreciate your efforts ❤
The major element missed
Out is GLASS. May not be structure but forms almost 50 to 100%of the envelope
Cant the Co2 be captured at the point of cement making . that way even if we use cement it won't have a carbon footprint
Call Greta. 😊
I love this! I recently had the chance to speak with a sustainable materials expert, on my Building Green podcast, and we discussed many of the same ideas around how crucial material choices are in creating a more sustainable future. We explored the environmental impact of materials like wood, concrete, and even leather, and how life cycle assessments are becoming a key part of the conversation. It’s so inspiring to see others pushing for innovative, nature-inspired solutions — it’s exactly the kind of thinking we need to drive meaningful change in the built environment!
Sure man, to solve climate change we should cut down more trees and make more buildings out of wood. And, we should make skyscrapers out of a highly flammable material. That sounds smart… But plant fibers/bio materials for building materials might be good.