Building Less: ArchDaily's November Editorial Focus

"As the late urban planner Jaime Lerner once argued, the future of architecture lies not in building new cities but in updating those that already exist. In a world where resources are finite and urban space is increasingly saturated, his statement feels more urgent than ever. It calls for architects to look inward, to rethink what truly needs to be built, and to recognize the creative potential of what is already there."

"This month, ArchDaily explores Building Less: Rethink, Reuse, Renovate, Repurpose, a theme that examines the growing shift in architecture toward working with what already exists. As urban spaces grow denser and land becomes scarce, architects are rethinking the impulse to build anew. Instead, they are extending the life of existing structures, embracing retrofit and adaptive reuse as strategies for sustainability and creativity. The question guiding this exploration is simple, yet urgent: How can architecture redefine urban futures by building less?"

"This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Building Less: Rethink, Reuse, Renovate, Repurpose, proudly presented by Schindler Group. Repurposing sits at the nexus of sustainability and innovation - two values central to the Schindler Group. By championing this topic, we aim to encourage dialogue around the benefits of reusing the existing. We believe that preserving existing structures is one of the many ingredients to a more sustainable city."

Finite resources and increasing urban density require shifting from new construction toward repair, adaptation, and reuse of existing buildings. Architects are extending the life of structures through retrofit and adaptive reuse, using limited urban land more sustainably and creatively. Repurposing aligns sustainability with innovation and offers practical strategies for reducing resource consumption and urban sprawl. The Schindler Group champions repurposing as part of corporate ambitions, linking reuse to net zero by 2040 and enhancing urban quality of life. Monthly thematic exploration, projects, and dialogue support the move toward rethinking how cities evolve without constant new builds.

Read at ArchDaily