What is the future of sustainable architecture?

The immediate future of sustainable architecture lies in the real decarbonisation of the built environment. The reduction of the carbon footprintthe verification by environmental certifications and the move towards no or almost no impact will set the operational standard for the discipline. In this context, the wood is consolidated as a strategic material: not only does it reduce emissions, but it also sequesters carbon in its life cycleThe impact of other materials is compensated for. In addition, the renaturalisation The green spaces are not only ornamentation, but also ecological infrastructure that can be used as a means of regenerating the environment, through landscaping and solutions that regenerate the soil. absorbs and balances the footprint of the building.

More account will also be taken of the water resourceswhere the architecture should incorporate rainwater harvesting, waste water treatment y reuse for irrigation and urban maintenance, closing cycles and reducing pressure on the territory.

At the same time, sustainability also acquires a new reading of the social and emotional: the wellness and the welfare as core values. It is about generating complex and habitable architecturesthat people recognise as their own and that remain in time, as opposed to the culture of the ephemeral.

In this sense, Bakpak projects such as Oceanika, Unique or the Viljandi Hospitalall built using woodanticipate this new era: buildings that absorb carbonThey manage resources efficiently and build a more humane and responsible idea of living.

In addition, projects such as The Juniperswith a landscaping designed for carbon dioxide absorptionis another example of sustainable architecture in the future and the present.

What is renaturalisation in architecture and how does it work?

The renaturalisation consists of reintegrating ecological processes in the urban and architectural fabric, not as ornamentation, but as a living infrastructure. It aims to restore natural functions - carbon sequestration, thermal regulation, water management and biodiversity enhancement - within built environments.

In design practice, this translates into green roofs, green façades, rain gardens, permeable soils and ecological corridors that connect species and stabilise microclimates. These solutions improve air qualityreduce the heat island effect, retain and filter rainwater, protect the soil health y cushion thermal loads on the building, reducing energy demand without relying on active systems alone.

At Bakpak, renaturalisation is part of the project strategy right from the conceptual phase. On The Junipers We use carefully selected vegetation to compensate for the emissions in the use phase of the residential complex, according to CTE standards, and a bioclimatic implementation make up an ecosystem which shades, ventilates, filters and regenerates. Architecture ceases to be an isolated object and becomes an object of participate in the natural cycle of the place.

Why is structural timber leading the future of sustainable architecture?

The structural timber has established itself as a great ally in the decarbonisation of the built environment. Compared to energy-intensive materials such as concrete or steel, wood has become an important reduces embodied emissions y stores atmospheric carbon throughout their entire lifespan. Each cubic metre of wood used can retain about one tonne of CO₂, making buildings more energy efficient. active carbon sinks.

At Oceanikaprojected by Bakpak ArchitectsThis strategy reaches its maximum expression. With 3,500 m³ of certified wood sourced from sustainable forests, the building stores about 3,500 tonnes of CO₂ y reduces emissions by more than 60 % compared to a conventional system. Its industrialised and dry construction allowed decrease waste by 50 %, save water and energy y shorten by six months the deadlines for implementation.

Oceanika combines technology, wellbeing and environmental responsibilityThe building has a CLT and MLE structure, ventilation with heat recovery, aerothermal systems and photovoltaic production (80,000 kWh/year). Its energy consumption is almost zero (48 kWh/m²-year), and the landscaping of indigenous species and permeable cover achieves a water saving of 73 %.

Beyond data, Oceanika redefines the experience of living in wood: warm, natural and healthy spaceswhere living matter regulates humidity, improves air quality and generates sensory comfort.
Wood is no longer a traditional material, but has become an important future infrastructureregenerative, industrial and measurable.