In this week's comments update, readers are discussing Foster + Partners withdrawing from climate change action group Architects Declare and sharing their views on other top stories.
Foster + Partners has sparked debate by choosing to leave Architects Declare, stating that architects should be involved in designing more sustainable airports for the aviation sector.
The climate change group, which launched in 2019, has expressed regret at Foster + Partners leaving, saying that although it was not happy with the move Architects Declare would welcome a discussion with the studio over its reasoning.
Zaha Hadid Architects has also since withdrawn from the group for similar reasons.
"They are working backwards"
Readers are divided. "Sadly the only way to achieve what Declare is trying to achieve is to get governing bodies and laws to back their goals, then clients will follow suit, and lastly architects," said Archi. "They are working backwards." Alfred Hitchcock agreed: "Refusing commissions on purely environmental grounds cannot be the answer. The answer is to make new buildings as environmentally sound as possible. That's what Architects Declare should be promoting, not business-suicide."
"Foster + Partners is going to do what's best for its firm," continued Gabriela Peña Izquierdo. "It's business."
Tom disagreed: "I don't really get all the support for Foster + Partners. I don't think a private airport in Saudi...