Episode 112: Leading Climate Action Through Adaptation & Mitigation

How can architects support their communities before a disaster happens?

This week we speak with Illya Azaroff, an internationally recognized leader in disaster mitigation, adaption, regenerative design and resilient planning strategies. Following Superstorm Sandy, Illya was a frequent consultant to New York City and other public entities on issues of resilience, policy and sustainability. His work has continued to expand beyond New York into wide-reaching US and international communities. Illya is using his training in architecture to help the communities he partners with access funding and implement climate-focused solutions. We discuss some of the projects he supports, strategies he recommends architects can take action on, and the difference between adaptation and mitigation. Illya further explains why architects must become global leaders in climate action.

Guest:

Illya Azaroff, FAIA, is an Architect, Geographer, and professor at New York City College of Technology (CUNY). He is the founding director of +LAB Architect, whose mission is to build resilient capacity and advance goals for a sustainable, regenerative future while giving underserved communities greater voice and visibility. Illya serves on the AIA National Board (2023-25). He served as a COP-27 delegate and is leading the COP-28 delegation for the AIA this year. Currently, Illya serves as a technical expert on the New York Climate Impact Assessment.

📍 Show Links: 

https://www.pluslabglobal.com/

https://illyaazaroff.com/

📚 Continue Learning:

Listen to PD Episode 004 - Purpose Driven Practice

COP

https://www.aia.org/articles/6571631-aia-delegates-at-cop27-provide-key-takeawa

https://www.aia.org/resources/6077668-framework-for-design-excellence

Adaption

https://www.undrr.org/publication/sendai-framework-disaster-risk-reduction-2015-2030

1.pdf">https://climatechampions.unfccc.int/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SeS-Adaptation-Agenda_Complete-Report-COP27_FINAL-1.pdf

Performance Based Codes

Based-Building-Design-Concepts-Chapter2.pdf">http://media.iccsafe.org/downloads/CodesPlus/Performance-Based-Building-Design-Concepts-Chapter2.pdf

2030 Commitment

https://www.aia.org/pages/6464938-the-aia-2030-commitment

💻 Learn about our podcast partner:

👉 This episode is sponsored by Autodesk.

Autodesk has been part of the design conversation since 1982, providing the tools that help architects around the globe imagine and create beautifully designed, memorable buildings that people love and admire.

Autodesk is honored to support the work of Practice Disrupted, bringing the architecture community together, sparking curiosity, and leading vibrant and necessary conversations with the industry’s visionaries and thought leaders.

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