TTB hosted an engaging panel discussion yesterday (June 19) on architecture, the built environment and climate change. We are proud to have collected a panel that included some visionary perspectives and radical solutions as well as solid practical experience. I left aware of the huge obstacles in creating a low carbon built environment, but also inspired by solutions that could be created if the will existed to allow the sort of changes we need....

Jon Lissimore, Lambeth Sustainable Housing Officer, followed with a detailed explanation of the kinds of practical challenges he faces in creating more energy efficient and low carbon projects to Lambeth. TTB considers itself fortunate to have an ally like Jon on our council.

Richard Nelson, scientist and creator of Solaroof, explained the necessity for ecology to lead design thinking. ‘We have certain strategies which are problematic’ he says, and it has to do with our lack of understanding of natural processes. In ecological processes, there are closed loops – and if we can imitate these loops in housing design we can start to create sustainable systems.

Ziba Adranngi of PRP architects gave good perspective on the challenges architects face in sustainability issues, and offered the German city of Freiburg as an example of how a city can incorporate the kinds of innovations we need. A common theme throughout the night was expressed in Ziba’s presentation: how architecture on its own cannot solve the problem – it is the systems that architects must design within which create the kind of unsustainable architecture which is now such a huge problem.

While the Tree House in Clapham (www.treehouseclapham.org.uk) is an inspiring example of what is possible – the systems in place make this house an extraordinary rare and precious example of what can happen – but for the most part will not happen until we can reengineer the system to take climate change seriously.