African business leader Sir Sam Jonah has issued a major challenge to the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA), urging them to lead the country toward a Net-Zero future by fundamentally reshaping their approach to design, materials, and energy efficiency.
Speaking at the GIA Annual General Meeting on Thursday, November 20, Sir Sam Jonah declared that the future of architecture lies in “intelligent design with energy efficiency” and the full adoption of the Net-Zero Buildings concept, where structures produce as much energy as they consume.
Abandoning the Air-Conditioning Trap
Sir Sam Jonah criticised current practices that prioritise imported aesthetics over climatic common sense, citing the pervasive trend of sealing buildings and relying heavily on mechanical cooling.
“We cannot continue replacing louvre blades with fixed glass that stops fresh air from coming inside and then leave the air-conditioning on for hours on end.”
He called for the incorporation of natural elements and materials to promote well-being, demanding that architects integrate Biophilic design—a concept that seeks to connect occupants more closely to nature—into their blueprints with families, workers, and tourists in mind.
The Net-Zero Imperative: Global Case Studies
The business mogul urged the GIA to look beyond Ghana for technical inspiration, presenting clear global examples of large-scale, climate-conscious construction that achieve Net-Zero energy consumption:
- The Unisphere (Maryland, USA): A 210,000 square-foot office building that achieves net-zero status through the integration of 3,000 solar panels, geothermal wells, and a high-performance building envelope.
- The Edge (Amsterdam, Netherlands): Touted as one of the world’s “smartest” office buildings, it uses sensors and smart systems to monitor light, temperature, and occupancy, dramatically reducing energy usage while maximising user comfort.
- NUS School of Design and Environment (Singapore): This six-storey educational building successfully achieves net-zero energy consumption by employing solar panels, hybrid cooling systems, and passive ventilation.
- Z6 Tower (Beijing, China): Recognised as China’s first skyscraper office building to achieve net-zero operational status, demonstrating that high-rise construction is not incompatible with sustainability goals.
Sir Sam Jonah emphasised that these examples should not lead to “blind imitation“ but rather “informed selection of the best elements that work for our climate to be incorporated into our culturally relevant aesthetic.”
Sustainability in a Hot Climate
To counter the argument that Net-Zero is only feasible in temperate zones, Sir Sam Jonah cited a compelling hot-climate example:
- Masdar City (Abu Dhabi): This massive 644-hectare sustainable city project is currently underway in a climate significantly hotter than Ghana’s northern regions (e.g., Tamale). The project successfully combines traditional Arabian architecture with cutting-edge technology to achieve net-zero energy.
A New Standard for Ghanaian Architecture
Sir Sam Jonah concluded by calling for a complete overhaul of industry standards, demanding that Sustainable Design Features become standard practice in all architectural education and professional work.
He outlined specific features that must be prioritised in design:
- Energy Generation: Integrating solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems to generate energy on-site.
- Passive Design: Optimising building orientation and natural ventilation to reduce energy demand.
- Sustainable Materials: Creative use of bamboo, reclaimed wood, recycled steel, coconut husks, and low-carbon concrete to minimise environmental impact.
“Let us commit to designing buildings that produce as much energy as they consume and to eliminating or, at least, reducing waste and promoting the reuse and recycling of materials.”