Java and Jam Pavilions / i/thee. Image © Breyden Anderson
For decades, our society has predominantly embraced an extractivist approach when formulating models for material manufacturing across diverse industries. While we now know that this model is unsustainable, a major question remains: So, how do we do it? We may be a while away from offering a definitive answer to this challenge. Still, it is exciting to note that, in a context marked by a challenging global and ecological horizon, the architectural community maintains a positive approach by pushing for a re-evaluation of what we make and how we make it.
This momentum may be gaining relevance due to the emergence of new, more environmentally conscious generations, such as Gen Z and Alpha. What is certain is that we are witnessing the development of new production philosophies, such as plant-based materials, which adopt practices aimed at favoring the use of resources derived from plants, reducing dependence on extractive processes, and promoting conscious and sustainable alternatives in various aspects of the manufacture and production of materials in architecture.