What responsibilities do architects have to clients and to users, and how does this shape architectural projects?

Architects have a set of ethical, professional, and legislative responsibilities to their clients and users which shape their architectural projects’ scope, costs, schedule, durability, and quality. Architects need to follow a set of rules and standards while meeting the projects goals and limits. They strive to make their projects efficient, high quality, reliable and valuable. They work in multidisciplinary teams to not only safeguard their clients’ rights but also comply with a broader range of regulations, standards, and ethical rules. Yet, the results have led to climate catastrophe, wildlife, and societal injustice. “A couple of decades ago we crossed the line that set up a future climate instability, ecological degradation, accelerating environmental inequity.”[1] This essay explores their responsibilities for the environmental protection and conservation through two example projects. After a brief literature review, I will explain the backgrounds of the architectural projects, their responsibilities and the methods the architects used in these projects to reduce emissions and protect the environment - projects life cycle assessment, good design, circulatory of materials, and efficient management of resources.

Any form of architecture has impacts on the environment. The choice we make during the design process and the resulting construction method or materials could have a positive carbon footprint to the environment. “Whatever choices we make, we will do some harm. At every turn there are possibilities to choose to do less and to accept the responsibility to repair the harm that we do. It is never too late, or too early.”[2] Architects define the type of materials, forms, spaces, and their arrangements which must be justified and optimized for the benefits of all. Although science and technology have contributed to the development and innovation of new construction materials and more efficient machineries, the field still struggles copping with sustainable and innovative measures that meet the highest sustainable rankings. “Still, the field struggles to achieve even half-measures.”[3] With the increasing population growth and urbanization, the future of our planet earth is uncertain. “The site of optimism to enact possible future is ever temporal.”[4] Nonetheless, to reduce the adverse effects of the built environment and to have approach for a climate responsive, passive, and ecological design, a systematic, coordinated, and scientific approach is desired. “Several publications at the time portrayed our planet as a finite system with limited resources, projecting the dynamics of micro-actions on the macro dynamics of the planet.”[5] In the next paragraphs, two case study collectives’ projects will elaborate on this topic more.

The EcoLogicStudio cofounded in 2005 by Claudia Pasquero and Marco Poletto is an Architecture and Design firm based in London that specializes in the biotechnology, circular and ecological design. Since then, it has implemented various installation and design projects globally. They aim to integrate built environments and infrastructure with the natural processes, ecosystems, and environmentally friendly materials. The Design Apothecary project is a biophilic project implemented in two phases in Turin, Italy in 2024. The first part is a purifying and production system. “Its centrepiece is a fully functional air purifying algae garden, featuring 17 photosynthetic reactors.”[6] These reactors absorb the environmental pollutants and produce O2, biomass and proteins. “At the centre of the 250 sqm open plan space sits the air purifying algae garden, the operating system of hi-efficiency engineered photosynthesis.”[7]This project is a remediation to the existing infrastructure that improves their health and quality. Residents not only benefit from the fresh Oxygen produced and decarbonized atmosphere, but also, they would be able to provide food sources reducing their dependence on the increasing costs of food. ”In particular, this new domestic space allows us to test the potential for new mode.” of circular design and healthy living, which have always been at the core of our design research.”[8] In the second phase of the project, they set up ten planter boxes making a garden serving medical plants and shading plants that provides evaporative cooling for the space. ”This system will eliminate the need for air conditioning in the space, reducing energy consumption and encouraging open interaction with the vegetated balcony and inner courtyard.”[9]

Besides, the Cow Corridor project by the cav_bureau, Kenya based architecture studio in Nairobi provides innovative solutions to the emerging climate and identity crisis. “The bureau is driven to develop systems and structures that improve the human condition, without negatively impacting the natural environment and social fabric of our communities. “[10] The project connects the past, present and the future through ecological design and sustainable solutions. It allows cows to come to the CBD of the Nairobi. “In it, our imagination speaks to our past traumas and timeless legacies of resistance, towards green pathways of healing, where the natural environment and the cities converge to create a restorative artifice within landscapes of phantasmagoria in Nairobi.”[11] This healing project empowers local communities to imagine future with understanding the past, present and future narratives of the geological and natural features of the cave that connect them with their historical context and push them forward. “It is where our human species evolved in a place of natural – and by disjointed extension – architectural beauty of cultural and mythical power.”[12] The power of storytelling and the narratives of the myths contribute to shaping the projects objectives for social justice, empowerment, and resilience. Yet, decarbonization and decolonization is achievable through appropriate interventions and community engagement and public support. Once the communities and ecosystems become stakeholders of the projects, their voice could be heard, and fair decisions will be provided by the architects. The cow corridor project contributes to social and environmental justice while keeping the local communities and the environment triumphant and foster and circular design integrates with their evolving culture while keeping their identities alive.

To sum up, architects have a collection of technical, ethical, and legislative responsibilities for their diverse range of clients and users. The argument in this essay evolves with the cluster resources on the environment and how architecture affect the environment, ecology, and natural processes. The Design Apothecary from EcoLogicStudio and the Cow Corridors from cav_bureau case studies have provided insights and systematic solutions to remediate built environments and integrates natural processes, past, present, and future in a single project. With the growing urbanization and poor design architecture has been responsible for the current climate disasters and social tensions globally. However, innovative solutions like the healing interventions of these new projects casts the array of hope for the new generations as they foster urban regeneration while decreasing emissions and climate deterioration. The decarbonization and decolonization strategies heal the ecosystems and local communities from the wounds of the emissions and injustice.

[1] Daniel A. Barber. “ Drawing the Line,” Places Journal, June 16.2025, https://doi.org/10.22269/240130

[2]  Lev Bratishenko, Charlotte Malterre-Barthes. “ How to : do not harm?” Canadian Centre for Architecture, June 16, 2025, https://www.cca.qc.ca/en/articles/87138/how-to-do-no-harm 

[3] Daniel A. Barber. “ Drawing the Line,” Places Journal, June 16.2025, https://doi.org/10.22269/240130 

[4] Ripeka Walker. “He Tuhi He Uta He Utu: Architecture as a Tool of Reply, “ Fabrications, June 16, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1080/10331867.2024.23683277 

[5] Lydia Kallipoliti, History of ecological design An Unfinished Encyclopedia, (New York : Actar Publishers, 1996), 18.

[6] Prof Claudia Pasquero, Dr Marco Poletto, “Design Apothecary Turin,” EcoLogicStudio, June 17, 2025, https://www.ecologicstudio.com/projects/design-apothecary-turin 

[7] Hadir Al Koshta. "Design Apothecary / ecoLogicStudio," ArchDaily, Jun 17, 2025, https://www.archdaily.com/1026928/design-apothecary-ecologicstudio

[8] Prof Claudia Pasquero, Dr Marco Poletto, “Design Apothecary Turin,” EcoLogicStudio, June 17, 2025, https://www.ecologicstudio.com/projects/design-apothecary-turin

[9] Prof Claudia Pasquero, Dr Marco Poletto, “Design Apothecary Turin,” EcoLogicStudio, June 17, 2025, https://www.ecologicstudio.com/projects/design-apothecary-turin

[10] Kabage Karanja, Stella Mutegi “ Anthropocene Museum,“ cave-canon, June 10, 2025, https://www.cave.co.ke/cave-canon

[11] Kabage Karanja, Stella Mutegi, “Cave Bureau proposes "a new kind of infrastructure for the first inhabitants of the city", dezen, June 17, 2025, https://www.dezeen.com/2021/11/04/cave-bureau-infrastructure-inhabitants-nairobi-city/ 

[12] Kabage Karanja, Stella Mutegi “ Anthropocene Musuem,“ cave-canon, June 10, 2025, https://www.cave.co.ke/cave-canon

Bibliography

Barber, Danie. “ Drawing the Line.” Repair Manual, January 2024, Journal and magazine articles - Chicago 18th (A) Notes and Bibliography - Subject guides at Monash University

Bratishenko, Lev. Malterre-Barthes, Charlotte. “ How to : do not harm?” Canadian Centre for Architecture, Accesses June 16, 2025, https://www.cca.qc.ca/en/articles/87138/how-to-do-no-harm 

Walker, Ripeka. “He Tuhi He Uta He Utu: Architecture as a Tool of Reply.“ Fabrications, Accessed June 16, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1080/10331867.2024.23683277

Kallipoliti, Lydia. History of ecological design An Unfinished Encyclopedia, Actar Publishers, 1996

Pasquero, Claudia. Poletto, Marco. “Design Apothecary Turin,” EcoLogicStudio, Accessed June 17, 2025, https://www.ecologicstudio.com/projects/design-apothecary-turin 

Koshta, Hadir. "Design Apothecary / ecoLogicStudio," ArchDaily, Accessed Jun 17, 2025, https://www.archdaily.com/1026928/design-apothecary-ecologicstudio

Karanja, Kabage. Mutegi, Stella.“ Anthropocene Museum,“ cave-canon, Accessed June 10, 2025, https://www.cave.co.ke/cave-canon

Karanja, Kabage. Mutegi, Stella. “Cave Bureau proposes. " A new kind of infrastructure for the first inhabitants of the city", dezen, Accessed June 17, 2025, https://www.dezeen.com/2021/11/04/cave-bureau-infrastructure-inhabitants-nairobi-city/