In Scandinavian architecture, the neo-vernacular movement has gained ground as a means of sustainable building design. Hence, the objective of this paper is to investigate Danish and Swedish neo-vernacular in order to examine whether these building approaches are mimicry or reflect genuine alignment with the core values of traditional vernacular. To achieve this, the paper presents a literature review on neo-vernacular architecture and a case study comprising a Danish and a Swedish neo-vernacular dwelling. Main findings include the Scandinavian neo-vernacular as a complex field that holds different approaches to building and overall, shows a significant trend to integrate traditional vernacular with modern design and sustainability principles.

Background and aim. This study evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of a pilot course aimed at integratingcircular principles into architectural education to respond to the built environment’s pivotal role in the climate crisis. Thecourse introduces undergraduate students to the foundational concepts of circular design, promoting climate-neutralpractices. Co-taught by specialists in circular architecture and circular economy, it blends a design project with practicaltraining in life cycle calculations. By analysing the course structure and outcomes, the study highlights how circulardesign, and economic considerations can be effectively incorporated into academic learning.Methods and Data. The study employs a mixed-method approach that includes qualitative project analysis andquantitative student surveys. Reflexivity and self-critical discussions were central to minimize bias, critically assessteaching practices, and ensure a balanced evaluation of learning outcomes and course impact.Findings. The course revealed the necessity of a holistic approach to teaching sustainable architecture, demonstrating astrong correlation between understanding circular design and effectively applying LCA and LCC tools. The dual approachenhanced students' design skills while equipping them with practical abilities to assess both the environmental impact andeconomic viability of their designs.Theoretical / Practical / Societal implications. This experience highlights the importance of interdisciplinary teachingin architectural education. The findings suggest that future courses should continue to integrate design with environmentaland economic analysis, better preparing students for sustainable practice. The course offers a model that can be adaptedin other contexts, contributing to the broader goal of climate-neutral buildings.

Background and Aim: Circular design, emphasizing sustainability and resource efficiency across a building's lifecycle,has become increasingly critical in addressing global environmental challenges. This paper examines the implementationof circular principles in a temporary kindergarten as a public building project in Lund, Sweden. The aim is to demonstratehow these principles can be integrated from conceptualization through to end-of-life considerations, highlighting theirpotential impact on environmental sustainability.Methods and Data: The project's approach involved research into circular design methodologies and sustainable buildingpractices. Methods included design-for-disassembly and design-for-circularity strategies to enhance material reuse andminimize waste generation. Data collection encompassed regulatory compliance, material sourcing, and stakeholderengagement processes.Findings: Innovative solutions in designing light weight and affordable temporary modular construction techniques andusing parametric modelling and lifecycle impact as a tool to ensure low carbon circular design. The findings contributeto a deeper understanding of practical applications of circular design in urban development contexts. The studyhighlighted the importance of holistic design approaches that prioritize environmental responsibility.Theoretical/Practical/Societal Implications: Theoretical implications highlight the transformative potential ofintegrating circular principles into architectural practices, fostering sustainable urban development. Practically, this studydemonstrates the feasibility of adopting circular design strategies within existing regulatory frameworks, promotingenvironmental stewardship and community well-being. Societally, the study advances discourse on sustainablearchitecture by showcasing Lund, Sweden, as a model for implementing comprehensive circular design strategies inpublic infrastructure projects.

This article seeks to contribute to understanding the practical “how” of a just climatetransition as a systemic change with a focus on the local level. With the backdrop ofthe central role of municipalities in terms of governance in achieving climate transitionwhile also fulfilling societal functions, it explores cases of eco-social innovations (ESI) ofcircular practices, with a specific interest in their transformative potential from aclimate-justice perspective. We applied a qualitative and exploratory methodology inthe context of a Swedish city operationalizing a climate-transition program whiledrawing upon (trans)national networks. The exploration suggests that the ESIs contributein terms of relating to six intertwined systemic conditions, exposing the scaffolding ofthe current unsustainable system. The ESIs also reveal alternative modes of dwellingthat acknowledge constructive relationality and can potentially transform human desiresand lifestyles. We conclude that the role of a municipality and the use of governancemechanisms vary depending on the systemic conditions at stake and the powerresources at play. As places and innovative areas, municipalities can aspire to beFoucauldian eco-social heterotopias, real utopias that critically reflect unsustainable,habituated dwellings and serve as spaces for reversal and transformation.

The construction industry significantly contributes to global resource con-sumption and carbon emissions, making sustainable alternatives essential for reducing envir-onmental impact. This study explores the feasibility of adapting earth-based constructiontechniques, such as rammed earth, to Sweden’s colder climate by drawing insights from Medi-terranean regions, particularly Portugal. The research assesses earth materials’ thermal per-formance, durability, and moisture resistance through an experimental living lab in Sweden,where a rammed earth wall was built under local climatic conditions. Life Cycle Assessment(LCA) was employed to compare the environmental impact of earth construction against con-ventional materials like concrete and steel, focusing on Global Warming Potential (GWP).The results indicate that earth construction, particularly in Portugal, offers significant envir-onmental benefits, including up to 50% lower GWP compared to conventional materials.However, challenges such as higher labour costs in Sweden, extended drying times, and thelack of technical standards for earth-based construction hinder widespread adoption. Thispaper contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable construction by proposinginnovative methodologies that integrate traditional earth techniques with modern technolo-gies. Future research should focus on improving material durability, developing technicalcodes for earth construction, and exploring mechanisation to enhance scalability and cost-efficiency, aiming to make earth-based construction a viable alternative in colder climates.

This study explores the potential of Karshif, a salt-rich earth material from Egypt’s Western Desert, as a sustainable alternative to energy-intensive bricks as building materials. Traditional Egyptian architecture demonstrates remarkable integration of local materials and climatic considerations, but modern construction practices often overlook these principles, favoring fired clay bricks with higher environmental impacts. Building on the concept of “form-follows climate,” the research proposes a redesigned Karshif brick incorporating advanced geometrical features to enhance thermal performance, self-shading, and natural ventilation. Utilizing 3D printing for mold fabrication, the study introduces an innovative production process that allows for precise, resource-efficient brick design while integrating vernacular material practices. The methodology combines material characterization, laboratory tests, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Karshif’s hygrothermal performance was considered, revealing its capacity for effective moisture regulation and reduced thermal conductivity due to its unique composition of halite, clay, and calcium sulphate. A modular brick geometry, with ventilation channels and optimized external surface features, was designed to reduce heat gain and promote passive cooling. CFD analysis demonstrated the brick’s significant damping effect on wind velocity and its ability to stabilize indoor temperatures and relative humidity under typical Egyptian summer conditions. Compared to conventional fired bricks, Karshif blocks improved thermal comfort while reducing energy demands. The findings highlight the viability of Karshif as a low-carbon, culturally resonant building material capable of bridging traditional wisdom and modern sustainability goals. Challenges remain in scaling production, ensuring long-term durability, and meeting regulatory standards, but the research paves the way for integrating locally sourced, climate-responsive materials into contemporary construction. Future studies will refine Karshif’s design, evaluate real-life applications, and address potential enhancements to optimize its performance and adaptability. This work underscores the broader importance of rediscovering indigenous materials to advance sustainable architectural practices in the global south.

Qatar has recently become a hotspot for rapid urban development, featuring architectural projects that often incorporate curated elements of heritage. This paper critically explores the rise of "pseudo vernacular" architecture in the country, where traditional design motifs are superficially repurposed to create developments resembling themed attractions. These spaces, while aesthetically impressive, raise concerns about authenticity, cultural representation, and the commodification of heritage. Although the use of traditional motifs in modern construction may seem like an effort to celebrate local identity, a deeper analysis reveals a shallow engagement with Qatari cultural complexities. The "pseudo vernacular" architecture in developments such as the Souq Waqif and Souq Al Wakra creates an illusory sense of nostalgia that appeals to tourists and affluent residents. However, these spaces often detach themselves from the historical and social realities of genuine traditional architecture, risking the erosion of Qatar’s authentic cultural heritage. As Qatar aims to position itself as a cultural hub in the Gulf region, this preference for spectacle invites scrutiny regarding its long-term impact on collective memory and national identity. By interrogating the motivations behind these developments, the paper advocates for a shift toward architectural practices that genuinely reflect and preserve cultural identity. It emphasizes the need for a more thoughtful engagement with heritage that fosters meaningful connections between people, places, and history, moving beyond commercial spectacle to achieve lasting cultural authenticity.

The duration, frequency and intensity of climate change are increasing. Adaptation to climate change is oftentimes perceived as a local concern. Vulnerable groups at the margins try to find nature-based ways to cope with extreme urban climate change events with diverse direct and indirect adaptive strategies in absence of government interventions. From this study's investigative approach in Cairo, Egypt we draw results preliminary from interviews with locals and observational walks in three vulnerable areas in the same urban zone. Research revealed that adaptation can be political, demanding that locals sometimes make hard choices, especially during the absence of government intervention. Nevertheless, some of the adaptive strategies observed can be promoted as mainstream sustainable nature-based adaptation. The discussion reflects some social and economic dimensions that affect local adaptation synergies. This study hopefully contributes to the understanding of how the capacity of individual homeowners can help mitigate climate change risk through the implementation of their own physical and psychological adaptive strategies. In addition, it bears relevance not only for countries sharing similar climates, economic conditions or similar social norms, but also for general adaptation strategies that might support ecosystem-based or nature-based adaptation or tailor-made scenarios for locally applicable adaptation to climate change.

In 2023, we conducted a case study of the climate transition process in Malmö, Sweden. Just transition (cf. Paris Agreement) and climate justice underscored as constructs current disparities among neighbourhoods in Malmö, in terms of climate change consequences as well as of consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions.

Interviews, document analysis, observations and interactive workshops were used with a transdisciplinary explorative approach. To address phenomena and processes that transgress conventional social and nature-oriented divides, we adopted an ecosocial lens, which brought to the fore measures that integrate environmental solutions while also responding to human needs and social values. In our examination of cases, we identified ecosocial innovations and explored their transformative potentials. 

Our findings highlight the importance of place, or “topos” (in Latin). Places that provide residents and households with social encounters, knowledge sharing, services and practical functions (i.e. sharing of resources such as repairing skills, borrowing opportunities, community gardening, etc.) support changes in everyday practices and values involving relations, well-being, and use and distribution of resources. Each such place is a heterotopia, with Foucault a utopia that is real, in that it differs from and critically reflects other sites in which we live and positions that we occupy. 

Ecosocial heterotopias seem to have the potential to fundamentally support transitions at the individual and household level. Interpreting “human well-being” in a literal sense as being well situated – in a place as well as within ecological limits – we conclude that ecosocial heterotopias would constitute powerful tools for just transition in urban settings.

In the face of escalating environmental concerns and resource limitations, the building sector plays a pivotal role, necessitating sustainable and adaptive solutions. This paper presents an experimental research project in Sweden that addresses pressing global challenges of climate change and resource scarcity through the innovative design and construction of a regenerative tiny house, known as the Z Free Home. The Z Free Home is based on the integration of 7 R (Refuse, Reduce, Rethink, Reuse, Renewable, Regenerative, and Respect) and 11 Z (Zero Energy, Zero material waste, Zero waste water, Zero emissions, Zero deforestation, Zero toxins, Zero poverty, Zero injustice, Zero exclusion, Zero ignorance, Zero displacement) principles. This paper provides an overview of the design and design development stages, with a primary focus on the current methodological stage for the building structure and construction. The paper aims to contribute to the discourse on regenerative architecture by offering a practical and experimental solution to mitigate the impact of climate change and environmental degradation. By emphasizing the sustainable principles embodied in the Z Free Home, this research seeks to inspire a paradigm shift in the construction industry, fostering a future where architectural endeavours align harmoniously with the imperative challenges of our times.