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Posted on: March 16, 2022 by Huntersure
The world around you is shaped by architects. Though they aren’t celebrities or government officials, they wield an incredible impact on their communities. It’s unsurprising, then, that many are beginning to acknowledge the role architects can play in mitigating the damages of climate change. Indeed, so-called climate change architecture is emerging as one of the biggest trends in new construction. This trend aims to reduce carbon emissions and cultivate an ethic of sustainability. Many people wonder, though, what is climate change architecture — and how does climate change affect architecture? Read on to learn how to reduce environmental architect professional liability.
One of the core tenets of sustainable architecture is a push towards the use of biodegradable materials. In a field that largely relies on claims of permanents, this may seem counterintuitive, but it does offer several benefits. Biodegradable materials such as mycelium can be remarkably strong while inflicting a negligible carbon footprint. Bamboo and cork are similarly valuable for combining strength and sustainability. All of these materials offer viable alternatives to building materials that are costly and carbon intensive.
A huge portion of the carbon emissions generated by construction and architecture comes from the transportation of materials. Indeed, as building materials are imported and moving throughout the U.S., every mile of movement generates harmful greenhouse gases. This problem can easily be mitigated by replacing materials that must be shipped with locally-sourced alternatives. Builders should look for materials that naturally occur in the area they are building. Though it might not be possible to source all materials from a local provider, it can still make a big impact to gradually shift towards local sources.
Concrete is a mainstay in architecture, and it’s easy to see why. It looks clean, it’s incredibly strong, and it’s available in abundance. Unfortunately, though, it’s also a major contributor to carbon emissions, making it a less-than-desirable option for the framing it’s commonly used for. Architects should instead consider structural timber as an environmentally friendly alternative that uses much less water and minimizes waste. Structural timber should be sourced from a sustainable forestry program in order to maximize its benefits.
One of the biggest shifts to affect architecture in recent years is the increased prevalence of off-site construction. This method was largely popularized due to tiny homes and other prefab housing options, but it’s become a standard practice for some other kinds of structures, too. Modular construction allows builders to assemble homes in a dedicated facility while eliminating overages and reducing scrap. The result is a highly sustainable home that massively cuts down on waste and offers a replicable building model regardless of location. In many cases, construction is also safer, which mitigates architect professional liability.
Huntersure LLC is a full-service Managing General Agency that has provided insurance program administration for professional liability products to our partners across the United States since 2007. We specialize in providing insurance solutions for businesses of all sizes. Our program features can cover small firms (grossing $2.5 million annually) to large corporations (grossing $25 million annually or more). We make doing business with us easy with our breadth and depth of knowledge of E&O insurance, our proprietary underwriting system that allows for responsive quoting, binding and policy issuance and tailored products to meet the needs of your insureds. Give us a call at (855) 585-6255 to learn more.
Posted in: Architects/ Engineers