Building with purpose: Honest conversations on sustainability in architecture & design

I asked fellow interior design and architecture professionals about sustainability. Here is what I learned.

In the evolving world of architecture and design, sustainability has moved from a niche concern to a central responsibility. Around the world, more architects and designers are recognizing that the spaces we create must not only serve present needs but also protect the well-being of future generations. Yet, the journeys toward sustainable design are as diverse as the professionals themselves. Some discovered the importance of eco-conscious design through personal experiences; traveling to developing countries, witnessing the impacts of pollution, and seeing firsthand the consequences of unchecked production processes. Others found their inspiration during their academic years, where new coursework on sustainability shifted their understanding of what good design truly means. For many, it wasn’t a single moment but a gradual awakening: realizing that beautiful spaces and environmental stewardship can and must go hand in hand.

Redefining Sustainability in Design

When professionals talk about sustainability today, they go far beyond energy-efficient lighting or recycled materials. Sustainability is seen as a holistic approach; designing with long-term environmental health, human well-being, social equity, and economic resilience in mind. It's about minimizing the harm of construction and design practices while maximizing positive, regenerative impacts.

There is an important shift happening in how aesthetics are perceived. Many designers once feared that sustainable materials would limit their creativity or diminish the visual appeal of their projects. However, experience has proven otherwise. Local, renewable, and lower-carbon materials like cork, rammed earth, reclaimed woods, and natural stone can create spaces that feel both timeless and elegant. Sustainable design challenges architects to think more creatively, using simplicity, functionality, and durability as powerful tools for beauty.

Rather than seeing sustainability as a constraint, many now view it as a call to elevate their designs; crafting environments that are both inspiring and responsible.

Client Collaboration and the Challenge of Change

Despite the growing enthusiasm within the design community, bringing clients along on the journey toward sustainability remains a delicate task. One of the most common challenges cited by designers is brand loyalty. Clients often approach projects with strong attachments to particular brands, styles, or materials, many of which may not align with eco-friendly goals. Shifting those preferences requires diplomacy, education, and real-world examples that demonstrate how sustainable choices can meet and even exceed their expectations.

Moreover, evaluating sustainable options is rarely straightforward. Gathering trustworthy data on supply chains, production practices, and life cycle assessments often requires time, expertise, and, at times, collaboration with specialists. For small or independent firms, accessing this information can be especially difficult, particularly when working with smaller suppliers who may not have formal certifications or extensive reporting.

Many designers working in the high-end sector report that while their clients often prioritize quality over price, the real hurdle lies in finding sustainable alternatives that meet the same aesthetic and functional expectations. Success stories usually emerge from building trust with clients and framing sustainability not as a compromise but as an enhancement to the overall value and story of a project.

Finding Inspiration in Nature, Cities, and Culture

Nature has long been a powerful muse for architects and designers, and sustainable design is no exception. Some professionals look to regions like Australia and Brazil, where architecture often blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, embracing the environment rather than resisting it.

Large cities also offer important lessons. Urban environments, when designed thoughtfully, showcase how sustainability can scale: through public green spaces, energy-efficient buildings, and walkable communities that reduce reliance on cars.

Cultural media plays a growing role, too. Films, anime, books, and documentaries often shape public perception of sustainable futures. Works like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind present a poetic vision of a world where technology and nature strive for balance, inspiring both designers and audiences alike. In such narratives, sustainable living is not portrayed as a return to the past but as a hopeful, creative reimagining of how we coexist with our environment.

The Future of Sustainable Architecture

Across the industry, there is a strong sense of cautious optimism. Certifications like LEED and BREEAM are becoming more widespread, signaling that sustainability is slowly but surely moving from being an added bonus to an industry standard. However, several designers believe that for true transformation to happen, the industry must normalize new technologies and processes. This means moving beyond habitual reliance on conventional methods and materials, and embracing innovation; even when it feels uncomfortable at first. One recurring suggestion among sustainability advocates is that every design firm should have at least one dedicated sustainability specialist. This team member would challenge conventional decisions, introduce new materials and practices, and help ensure that every project considers its environmental impact from the start, not as an afterthought.

Sustainability cannot rely on a few passionate individuals; it must be embedded across the entire architectural and design ecosystem.

Advice for the Next Generation of Designers

Emerging designers are entering the field at a critical moment. The advice shared by experienced professionals is clear: learn the fundamentals of sustainability, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to question traditional practices. It’s important to remember that sustainability is not about achieving perfection. It’s about honesty, transparency, and a willingness to evolve. Companies and brands must be allowed space to experiment, to fail, and to learn. Fear of being accused of “greenwashing” should not prevent them from taking their first steps toward change. Rather than only celebrating perfect success stories, the design community must also recognize and learn from efforts that are imperfect but genuine.

A Future of Thoughtful Coexistence

Sustainable architecture is ultimately a mindset shift. It challenges the way we think about space, consumption, beauty, and responsibility. Whether designing a luxury villa, a city park, or a compact urban apartment, the principles remain the same: build with respect, creativity, and foresight.

While it is tempting to dream of isolated forest homes or off-grid lifestyles, large-scale sustainability depends on reimagining our cities; creating urban spaces that are greener, more resilient, and more humane.

The architects and designers shaping this future understand that their role is not just to construct buildings, but to help rebuild the relationship between humans and the natural world. In that work, there is incredible hope and endless opportunity.