SHIFT

Learning from the global South for a sustainable transformation towards a resilient, climate, and culturally responsive global Architecture!

The Problem: A Failing Architectural Model
Modern architecture of the global north often fails on multiple levels. Housing is increasingly unaffordable, while excessive resource consumption and poor urban planning push us beyond planetary boundaries. Cities are overheating, and global warming demands urgent yet inadequate adaptation. We are not creating healthy, livable environments that foster well-being and resilience. As global housing demand grows, we need scalable, sustainable solutions – yet the current model, reliant on resource-intensive materials and car-dependent urbanism, offers no viable path forward. Existing buildings must be transformed, but architecture and planning remain ill-equipped for this urgent transition.

Principles of Failure
We can formulate the following principles of failure ingrained in our current architecture:
1. Uniform Architecture “One-fits-all” designs that disregard local climate, culture, and context.
2. Resource Ignorance Energy-intensive buildings relying on mechanical climate control and cheap energy.
3. Short-term Responsibility Buildings prioritized as financial assets over social or functional value.
4. Car-Centric Urbanism Development patterns favoring automobiles, fueling urban sprawl and urban heat islands.
5. Social Ignorance Design decisions that overlook public well-being and human experiences.

It is clear: We need a fundamental shift.

The Solution: Culture & Climate-Adaptive Design
Our hypothesis is bold yet simple: Culture and climate-responsive building design can address all these challenges at once.
SHIFT is a global platform dedicated to showcasing successful examples of architecture and urbanism that work in harmony with local climates, cultural and human necessities, and ecological realities. By distilling the strategies behind these successes, we aim to inspire a radical transformation – one that redefines the aesthetics, economics, and practice of sustainable architecture worldwide.

Phase 1: The Kickoff (Paris, February 24, 2025)

Phase 2: The Global Launch (Venice Architecture Biennale, June 22, 2025)

Phase 3: Scaling the SHIFT Movement

The Vision: A New Image for Sustainable Architecture