UGREEN Mentorship

From Damage Reduction to Positive Impact: The First Class of Our Mentorship!

When we talk about sustainable architecture, we often think only about “reducing impact”. But the new generation of professionals is looking further: how can we design spaces that regenerate, promote health, and create positive impact?

That’s exactly the starting point of the first class of the Sustainable Architecture 2.0 Mentorship. On October 7, we’ll begin by exploring new paradigms that are transforming architectural practice worldwide.

What you’ll learn!

• Global context: from traditional sustainability to regenerative architecture.

• Health as a priority: air quality, thermal comfort, and the choice of low-impact materials.

• The Middle East as a living laboratory: examples of cities like NEOM and Masdar City, seeking in extreme climates.

• Practical tools: environmental and health assessment checklists developed by UGREEN.

• Hands-on: critical analysis of an iconic regional project, such as The Line, through the lens of human and environmental health.

You’ll gain access to all this content right in our first session! The topics of the following classes will be revealed in upcoming UGREEN News.

Seats are limited. Click the link and secure your spot now to be part of this transformative journey.

News

Sunlight at Night? The New Frontier (and the risk of sustainability)

Living in a world where the sun never truly sets sounds crazy, doesn’t it? A world where light can be delivered on demand, as a service.

Too futuristic? This possibility is already being explored — and it raises urgent questions!

A new technology proposes the use of orbital mirrors to redirect sunlight during the night, illuminating cities, farms, construction sites, or even conflict zones. The promise? More productivity, greater safety, and even energy generation beyond the natural cycle.

But … at what cost?

• Entire ecosystems at risk.

• Threatened biological rhythms.

• Orbital space saturation.

• Potential geopolitical or military use.

The proposal sounds like a revolution — but it could also hide a new form of environmental aggressions. We’re talking about a technology that alters the night, disrupts species that depend on darkness to survive, and challenges the ethical boundaries of innovation.

Are we ready to live on a planet where the night can be bought?

Want to understand the implications of this radical idea?

Watch the video we produced on this topic and dive deeper into this bold — and controversial — revolution.

⚠️ Disclaimer: The video is in Portuguese (BR), but subtitles and real-time AI-powered translation are available.

Opinion

Circularity in Construction: From Global Promise to On-Site Practice

For decades, the construction industry has operated on autopilot: extract, transform, discard. It was efficient — until it stopped being sustainable. Today, with 40% of the world’s solid waste coming from construction and demolition, and a growing demand for environmental responsibility, the sector faces a historic opportunity: to embrace circularity as a value model.

But this transition goes far beyond recycling rubble.

We’re talking about rethinking the entire cycle: from design to post-use, integrating reusable materials, modular systems, traceability, and collaboration across the ecosystem.

Circularity in Action: Where Is It Already Working?

Some initiatives prove that circularity is not a technical utopia. It’s already moving into reality:

• Madaster (Netherlands): creates digital material passports to track and reuse components throughout a building’s life cycle.

• Circular Building (UK): a 100% demountable and reusable project, a clear example of applied circular design.

• Loopfront (Norway): connects companies looking to donate or sell construction leftovers.

• Caçamba do Bem (Brazil): a startup giving discarded materials now purpose, combining sustainability with social inclusion.

These examples point in a clear direction: circularity works when there is planning, technology, and the will to innovate.

What Still Prevents Circularity From Scaling?

Despite progress, we still live in a reality where discourse moves faster than practice. The main barriers are common across different contexts:

• Lack of updated and specific regulations for materials reuse.

• Weak infrastructure for reverse logistics and sorting.

• Widespread distrust regarding the quality of recycled materials.

• Low awareness among designers, suppliers, and clients about the potential of reuse.

In many countries — specially developing economies — the problem is compounded by informality and the absence of real economic incentives.

How Can This Potential Be Unlocked?

Through the use of 3 main pillars:

• Smart Planning

  Incorporating circularity from the design phase: planning for disassembly, reuse, and modular construction.

• Technology as an Ally

  Digital platforms, BIM, and blockchain enable material tracking, quality assurance, and prevention of greenwashing.

• Trust Through Certification

  Standards such as LEED, GRS, and BREEAM help validate the real impact of sustainable materials and projects.

This combination turns waste into assets — with technical, commercial, and symbolic value.

It’s Not Just About Building Better. It’s About Building With Purpose.

Circularity in construction is a way to create value, reduce environmental impact, and democratize access to housing and design.

it’s not a magic solution, but a strategic path — and one that is increasingly viable.

The question now is: will you wait until it becomes mandatory, or start building this future today?