How Adina S Banayan Of Adina architeXture Is Helping to Promote Sustainability and Climate Justice
An Interview With Monica Sanders
You can have a bigger impact than you think, and people are willing to collaborate with you to make that difference. There is little competition in the climate sector, when you are focused on future opportunities, growth, and collaborations. We all help each other succeed.
According to the University of Colorado, “Those who are most affected and have the fewest resources to adapt to climate change are also the least responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions — both globally and within the United States.” Promoting climate justice is an incredibly important environmental responsibility that is slowly becoming more and more recognized. In this interview series, we are talking to leaders who are helping to promote sustainability and climate justice. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Adina Banayan.
Adina S Banayan, Associate AIA, is the CEO and Founder of adina architeXture, an independent architectural sustainability project coordinator and consultant for new development and retrofit projects that aim to reduce their carbon emissions, become net-zero, or even have carbon-negative goals. Trained as an architect in New York and a climate activist in Europe, Adina has paved her way as a proactive professional, taking a stand in the resilient and regenerative future of the built environment. She volunteers for Open Air Collective (OpenAIR), advocating for net-zero and negative emissions local policies globally, is the Co-Chair of the AIA WHV Sustainability Committee, and is an active board member of the American Institute of Architects Westchester + Hudson Valley (AIA WHV) and New York Passive House (NYPH).
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
Sure! I have spent most of my life in a dense suburban town around an hour from New York City, which is somewhat surprising as I was born in Manhattan and am currently living and working there. Being surrounded by all that nature growing up, my childhood was filled with outdoor adventures, and my friends often entertained my little explorative “hypotheses” and problem-solving games. I’m lucky to be from a large close-knit family, with the perfect confusing blend of Persian, Brazilian, and Jewish cultures. Strong-minded workaholics, most of my siblings have ended up being entrepreneurs in their own different professions, and I fit in just perfectly.
Everyone has a cataclysmic moment or marker in their life which propels them to take certain actions, a “why”. What is your why?
I truly believe that it is my duty. Years ago, architects were a big part of the problem of the heightened C02 levels, and now, it is our duty to the public to be a part of the solution. A big shift in my career took place around 4 years ago, in a master’s course I took at VU Amsterdam. The course was called Governing Climate Change and Sustainability, and surprisingly, I was the only student who was trained as an architect, and frankly, the only American student. It was in that course that I realized that all the techniques that I learned in architecture school that was supposed to “combat” the climate crisis would hardly make a dent. The course heightened my global awareness of the effects of climate change, and my duty, as an architect, to respond to the critical needs of our cities and of our planet. Since then, I have been dedicating myself to climate policy, the whole building approach, and CONSTANT research.
You are currently leading an organization that is making a difference for our planet. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change?
I have always been passionate about the power of architecture. It has an incredible direct effect on the people it serves, on the environment it creates, and on the ecosystems it impacts over time. Architecture has the power to not only design a space that regenerates the planet but also to create that space that feels inviting and beautiful, which enriches the community. Unfortunately, many practicing architects nowadays do not know the “how” and “who” and if it will really work on an operating level. This is complex, of course, because how can an architect know everything?! However, projects that do not take on “sustainability” objectives ultimately cost more in the long run; and the projects that do take it on are often with short-sighted goals, especially if a sustainability consultant is not involved in the initial stages of the project. This has always bothered me, as it has the potential to not only ruin the project in the long run but the integrity of the architectural profession. My professional goal is to give this power back to the profession, by providing education and connections in climate policy, new technologies, and financial incentives to deliver resilient, regenerative solutions to the wider population. With adina architeXture, I am able to successfully utilize my connections within the architectural, sustainability, and construction industries to coordinate a project that works and is aligned with the sustainability and regenerative objectives of the project. adina architeXture acts as a Sustainability Developer, Director, and Consultant for construction companies, architectural firms, building owners, and not-for-profits.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
My favorite stories are always when I am on vacation. I am in a bar, a café, or even walking in the city center, and miraculously I meet my next client, like a magnet. It may be a developer looking to design a new all-electric school, a spiritual guru creating a new retreat center completely off the grid, or a building owner trying to cut the high utility bills and carbon loads of their hotel. This is just the building sector, but the climate crisis has impacted and shifted every career, which is why it is so easy to connect with anyone.
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
I am lucky to have had a network of mentors throughout my career- family, friends, professors, supervisors, and colleagues. More recently, I sent out an email to Seth Wiley, one of my mentors whom I met through my advocacy in OpenAIR three years ago, about an idea I had for the future of the profession. He told me that he always had the same dream and connected me to the right people. It’s still in the works, but I’ll have more good news to share soon. In essence, it may feel hard to ask for help or advice at first, but collaborating within the industry is the most effective, promising, and fun way to get things done!
Thank you for that. Let’s now move to the central part of our discussion. Let’s start with a basic definition of terms so that everyone is on the same page. What does climate justice mean to you? How do we operationalize it?
Climate Justice is a very complex issue. It combines two very critical problems: The first one is the one humanity faces in our fight against climate change and the effects that has on our cities- such as sea level rise, more extreme weathering, etc. The second problem involves the immediate threat and displacement of vulnerable people living or working in the cities that are affected by climate change. The reason why this is such a complex issue is that there may be solutions that positively affect issue number one but negatively affect issue number two. An interesting example of this is when I was requested to speak at a community council meeting in upstate New York to discuss the issues with bringing solar farms into their agricultural town. The energy that the solar was going to provide was going straight to NYC and not the town it was situated in, for some minimal local tax benefits. In fact, it created an eye-sore for the community and took away prime agricultural land, which could have been utilized to help the community become self-sufficient during the climate crisis. The community was very much against it and the effect it would have on the town. In my opinion, redesigning a town or city into a self-sufficient community is the most effective way to inspire and create the change we are looking to see for Climate Justice, not sourcing it from somewhere else. I also say this because ⅓ of energy created at the source usually does get lost in the travel, so minimizing this travel is important.
Science is telling us that we have 7–10 years to make critical decisions about climate change. What are three things you or your organization are doing to help?
The first thing is to create a unified voice within the climate industry. I believe that the division among climate activists is stalling critical time that could have been utilized better for climate action. Being that I am in the unique position of volunteering for OpenAIR and being on the board of directors for both AIAWHV and NYPH, I can leverage different climate policy and sustainability ideas through all organizations with a single goal.
The second is a personal goal of mine- which is to aid other architects with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions on how to design with sustainability, regeneration, and resiliency. I network through the AIAWHV, AIANY, and some nonprofits to coordinate educational lectures and speakers through the Emerging Professionals Committee and Sustainability Committee (soon to be Committee on the Environment, COTE) to make this into a reality.
The third is a bit about the company I founded since I do think it’s a great resource for a problem I have constantly encountered in the industry. adina architeXture’s main goal is to navigate our clients to the right resources needed to fulfill their sustainability objectives. Knowing what needs to be done and the right people to get the job done is essential in the industry- and we can help with that!
Are there three things the community, society, or politicians can do to help you in your mission?
Yes! There is one thing I would like to stress- please communicate with the scientists, architects, and trade workers when you are writing out your big broad plans. They’re the people who know how to implement it. Unfortunately, a lot of the climate legislations and scoping plans out there do not have the technical people as part of the advisory group, which ultimately creates poor execution and often leads to a neglected project. I do believe that this can be solved with clear communication with the people who are actually going to do the work needed to make the difference you are hoping to see within the initial planning phases. This goes both ways. I do think architects, engineers, and trade workers need to stay informed about climate policy and actively reach out to bridge the gap.
How would you articulate how a business can become more profitable by being more sustainable and more environmentally conscious? Can you share a story or example?
My pet peeve is the “fakeness” in the recycling industry here. For example, a reusable hard plastic water bottle is marketed to be a sustainable option, but at the end of the day, it is a material that practically never decomposes. Although that plastic bottle gets thrown in a recycling bin after a year of use, in the best-case scenario, the chances of it getting sorted properly to be recycled are quite thin, energy-intensive, and are usually never done. It usually sits in a landfill, never fulfilling the promise it said it would. Each consumer may have close to five of these bottles a year from personal purchases and marking expos but hardly uses each one long enough to outlive the embodied carbon in the production or “destruction” of the product. There are a few great recycling companies that do the sorting needed, but this is usually done on a much larger scale of construction and demo waste. The real solution in an office environment is to get used to washing dishes, digital papers, and compostable options instead. Limiting physical printouts or disposable plastic tableware is a great win for office costs, as well.
This is the signature question we ask in most of our interviews. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started promoting sustainability and climate justice” and why?
1. The idea of professionalism doesn’t mean a suit, short phrases, and perfect hair- it’s in how you connect, follow up, and organize your communications with others. I realized that the professional and personal worlds are very much merging, in the sense that it is normal to meet a client in your swimsuit, or that they know that you take dance classes. It builds more trust and connection between you and your client, and I find that it is a beautiful change.
2. The climate industry is constantly evolving- if you are not keeping up with the latest incentives, innovations, policies, etc., there is a high chance that you are holding outdated information. Keep learning!
3. It’s okay to communicate that you are testing things out until you are certain of the solution, and it’s courageous to question methods that are being brought up. This is how we have better collaboration and better long-term solutions.
4. I know this is controversial, but designing an all-electric building may not be the best route, if you are trying to reduce your carbon emissions on a fossil fuel grid. It likely will increase your emissions, unless the electric grid is magically more promising than it is right now.
5. You can have a bigger impact than you think, and people are willing to collaborate with you to make that difference. There is little competition in the climate sector, when you are focused on future opportunities, growth, and collaborations. We all help each other succeed.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
You- or anyone who is reading this! That’s where the biggest change happens.
And I have always been a big fan of Neri Oxman’s work!
How can our readers continue to follow your work online?
Until the website is up and running, you can follow me on Instagram @archi_adina or find me on LinkedIn. I will add more current projects there soon!
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Thank you!
About the Interviewer: Monica Sanders JD, LL.M, is the founder of “The Undivide Project”, an organization dedicated to creating climate resilience in underserved communities using good tech and the power of the Internet. She holds faculty roles at the Georgetown University Law Center and the Tulane University Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. Professor Sanders also serves on several UN agency working groups. As an attorney, Monica has held senior roles in all three branches of government, private industry, and nonprofits. In her previous life, she was a journalist for seven years and the recipient of several awards, including an Emmy. Now the New Orleans native spends her time in solidarity with and championing change for those on the frontlines of climate change and digital divestment. Learn more about how to join her at: www.theundivideproject.org.
