Building for Planetary Renewal

In the context of a rapidly changing climate, architecture holds the profound potential to become a force of planetary renewal. No longer confined to mitigating harm, the built environment can be envisioned as a regenerative system—one that captures carbon, restores ecosystems and nurtures resilience at every scale. Through the convergence of material innovation, ecological design and climate-responsive urban systems, architecture can transcend its traditional boundaries, transforming from mere shelter into living infrastructure that sustains both people and planet. In this vision, cities themselves evolve into vast carbon sinks and energy producers, woven seamlessly with natural systems and serving as catalysts for social equity and collective wellbeing. Such a paradigm reimagines the future of architecture not simply as a response to crisis, but as a bold, creative act of designing environments that heal, empower and inspire—adaptive ecosystems that enable humanity to flourish within a changed world.

Mina Hasman leads SOM’s sustainability and wellbeing daily operations and long-term vision and strategy. She oversees the firm’s progress on climate action, as it pertains to its global business operations and projects. With her team, she pioneered SOM’s ‘Whole Life Carbon Accounting’ service, which offers assessment of a building’s carbon emissions through its construction/renovation and lifetime. In her leadership, SOM became the largest, Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) validated design-engineering firm in the world and achieved carbon neutrality.

Her expertise and years of climate leadership has led the TIME Magazine to identify her as one of the 100 most influential climate leaders in the world. For her contribution to the advancement of industry and academia, she was honoured with an Honorary Doctorate Degree by UCEM, under the patronage of King Charles III. She regularly contributes to the wider climate change and wellbeing debate in her role as tutor at various academic institutions (including the UCL, The Bartlett & Manchester School of Architecture) and as a regularly-invited speaker at many international events. Mina is also the leader of the ‘Climate Framework’ - a global, transdisciplinary initiative, aiming to create a common language around climate change in the built environment context and to unite industry and academia for effective, long-lasting climate action. She is also the author of the ‘RIBA Climate Guide’ - structured around the Climate Framework’s key themes - which equips the built environment professionals with essential knowledge to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

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