CarbonSpace: Designing with Carbon from the First Sketch

Every act of building begins with the transformation of raw materials, energy, and land, and this inevitably entails environmental impact. This encompasses all the changes a process triggers in the natural world: from resource extraction to pollutant emissions, from energy consumption to biodiversity loss. Measuring this is complex, as it spans multiple dimensions. Carbon has emerged as the common metric, translating these effects into greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂ equivalent) directly linked to global warming. This standardization has made it omnipresent and comparable across materials, systems, and sectors. Reducing carbon emissions, therefore, means addressing the root of global warming, which is a particularly urgent task in the construction industry, responsible for about 39% of global emissions. In response to this challenge, MVRDV NEXT, the innovation and digital tools division of the Dutch architectural firm, launched CarbonSpace, a free, open platform that brings carbon accounting to the architect's desk, right at the napkin sketch stage.

Floor slabs tilted into staircases, facade elements reworked into pavement, fittings transformed into furniture – the transformation of Thoravej 29 allows the building to recycle itself. It reflects a pragmatic approach to the available resources, reassessing the value of the existing by treating the building as its own material bank.

Architecture goes beyond its fundamental function of defining spaces and providing protection; it shapes the user experience, influencing sensations of comfort, spaciousness, and well-being. Among the many elements that make up a building, openings play a crucial role in connecting the interior and exterior, balancing privacy with transparency, and allowing the entry of natural light and ventilation. In particular, natural light transforms environments, defines atmospheres, and enhances architectural details, making spaces more dynamic and inviting.

Opening on World Architecture Day, October 6, 2025, "Age of Nature" is a new exhibition at the Danish Architecture Center (DAC), on view until May 17, 2026. Presented in DAC's largest exhibition space, the show examines how architecture can evolve to support both human life and biodiversity, addressing one of the most pressing challenges of the time: redefining the relationship between the built environment and the natural world.