Can an architect be a notorious climate denier?

Cancel or co-create?

News flash!!! Architects are just like people. And so there are also architects who are convinced that the global climate panic is not that bad. But yes, those dissenters are 'trapped' in a world where striving for sustainability and circularity is 'the norm' and where having a different opinion - than the current 'consensus' on climate - is just very difficult for them. However, for an agency, a serious dilemma can also arise.

Because what do you do when you meet a young, talented and ultra-creative visionary architect whom you would like to hire because it is guaranteed to bring you commercial success in the market, but who suddenly turns out to be a notorious climate denier? Before you realize it, you have landed in an ethical minefield. 

To engage or not to engage with him or her? What will be your choice? Cancel or co-create? You may say so. In fact, this discussion is not that 'strange', because at the Academy of Architecture in Amsterdam, for example, such questions are already being asked at intake interviews with new students. The Academy of Architecture in Amsterdam is convinced of the seriousness of the climate issue and the related challenges (and of course this educational institution is allowed to have that opinion!) but is troubled when people think otherwise. A young "climate denying student-architect" has even less chance of being admitted to this course.

But back for a moment to everyday agency practice, where this dilemma can also become a current challenge. 

Of course, the first approach is to engage in an open conversation with each other so that perspectives and insights are shared. In principle, such a conversation could lead to a fruitful exchange of ideas, in which both enduring values and creative insights can thrive and perhaps interact. In this type of dialogue, then, architecture is seen not only as merely an artistic expression, but also as a platform - within the firm - for sharing and evolving beliefs.

So, if you are open to that (i.e., to sharing and evolving beliefs), then it is no problem for you to incorporate that (awkward, obstructionist) climate denialist architect, right? A wonderful corollary to this? You guessed it: this approach will surely lead to changing dynamics within your firm. Because you are open to a diversity of perspectives, you, your colleagues and, of course, your new colleague can challenge each other to explore the boundaries of sustainable or non-sustainable design. Yes, it's an opportunity to not only act in accordance with your cherished sustainable principles, but you also create a culture of inclusiveness and dialogue that will definitely move your firm's innovation in thinking and doing to a higher level. This too could be of great value to your position in the market and your commercial opportunities. 

At the same time, if embracing environmental and climate issues is the essence of your firm's raison d'être, then it is important that the firm adheres precisely to the pursuit of environmentally conscious design practices, and then an architect with commercial potential won't work for you anyway. Again: the choice is yours.

What this dilemma highlights is the role of architects as leaders in shaping the future, whether green or not. However, at the same time, I am convinced that it is precisely in the tension between climate deniers and sustainability pioneers that there is, by definition, room for growth and innovation. Therefore, this call: let not only your designs but also your beliefs constantly evolve. Embrace that climate denialist obstructionist architect!