ISLAMABAD: Climate change is an urgent global issue affecting all living beings on Earth. Pakistan, one of the most impacted countries, faces rising temperatures and devastating floods that have displaced millions and damaged vast lands, crops and infrastructure.

This crisis has prompted architects, artists and environmentalists to express their concerns and seek solutions.

A husband-and-wife architect duo, Syeda Hafsah Fatima and Syed Warris Hussain, along with visual artist Amelia Ilyas, have creatively highlighted the climate crisis through their work.

During the sustainable design residency at Daastangoi Gallery, they presented innovative projects using eco-friendly materials like bamboo and jute.

The architects, co-founders of Archlore, an eco-friendly design startup based in Karachi, showcased Papillon, a biomorphic structure inspired by a butterfly’s flight. This piece symbolizes the potential of bamboo, a material often overlooked in Pakistan. Drawing inspiration from Iqbal’s philosophy, they demonstrated bamboo’s strength and versatility as a contemporary construction material.

For Fatima, eco-friendly architecture is one that is sustainable and does not come at the cost of the environment.

She believes that the term ‘good architecture’ should be synonymous with the term eco-friendly, especially considering the catastrophes brought on by climate change around the world and in our country. Eco-friendly architecture doesn’t just become a part of nature, it plays a part in preserving it.

Architecture is an art and like all art, it should display emotion and should connect with its users on a spiritual level. For a successful design, according to Fatima, an architect must consider the present and future needs, moods, traditions and wishes of its users.

Through Archlore, they promote bamboo as a sustainable alternative for modern construction and train young people in its use. Their projects range from bamboo furniture to play structures and even schools for underprivileged communities. One of their most significant initiatives was a collaboration with the Pakistan Red Crescent to build 600 shelters for flood-affected people in Sindh.

Amelia Ilyas, a visual artist and sculptor, uses her work to explore deep themes of existence and societal issues.

During the residency, she created two sculptures titled Khudai Muhafiz, inspired by the powerful symbol of mosque loudspeakers. These pieces amplify the call for environmental action, urging religious institutions in Pakistan to lead the fight against climate change.

Amelia believes that if these influential institutions advocate for sustainable practices, collective action will follow.

Her second piece, Jute Rings on Canvas, reflects the interconnected yet fragmented nature of human relationships and societal decay. She highlights how different communities, though facing common challenges like climate change, remain divided by societal discord and biases.

The residency at Daastangoi has not only been a creative endeavour but also a reconnection with nature for the artists. It has sparked discussions on the potential of sustainable materials like bamboo in addressing climate challenges while promoting aesthetic and functional design.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2024