Sustainable architecture: 46 innovative and inspiring building designs

Handmade laterite bricks building in Nigeria at artist residency building.

Sustainable architecture is a complicated, multi-layered task - and in 2025, it is more important than ever. Architects need to consider materials, construction, performance and provenance of everything, as well as maintenance and afterlife - social sustainability is critical too. With climate change and social challenges now in live development across the globe, it is not news that the green agenda should be at the top of everyone's mind. It is something we have flagged extensively in our recent Wallpaper* Design Awards's 2025 architecture gongs too, highlighting works that restore, rebalance and renew as nature, wellbeing and sustainability take centre stage across the board.

Many architects have developed innovative ways to reduce the industry's carbon debt, both in construction and during a building’s lifetime, through sustainable architecture. One of the industry’s giants, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), has unveiled a model for carbon-negative architecture – meet the ‘Urban Sequoia’. (Image credit: press)