“Sustainability is ensuring the well-being of current generations without compromising the resources of future ones. It is a moral obligation,” states Eliseo Cabrera, academic coordinator of the Diploma of Specialization in Sustainable Architecture at the University ORT of Uruguay.
The statement made in dialogue with the Montevideo Portal site summarizes an urgent challenge: the construction sector is responsible for more than 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UNDP.
Accumulated Impact: from construction to everyday use
Energy efficiency in buildings is key to reducing the environmental footprint.
The environmental impact is not limited to construction: material extraction, transportation, and construction processes generate emissions, but energy consumption over decades is even more crucial.
“Construction lasts for months, but energy expenditure accumulates over years,” warns Cabrera, emphasizing the importance of thermal comfort and efficient design.
Materials and building culture: the challenge of brick
Although Uruguay stands out for its renewable electricity matrix (over 90%), the debate on construction materials is central.
Steel and concrete have a high carbon footprint, while industrialized wood offers better environmental performance. “Brick is a symbol of savings and stability. Changing it implies a profound cultural transformation,” acknowledges Cabrera.
Regulations Driving Change
The architect recalls the case of Montevideo in 2012 when double-paned hermetic glass was required on south-facing facades. Despite initial resistance, the regulation consolidated a competitive and accessible market.
Today, the energy efficiency label promoted by the Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mining classifies buildings according to their performance, marking another advancement.
Dynamic Market: Consumers, Banks, and Real Savings
Sustainable architecture is starting to be valued by young people and financed by banking entities.
A new generation of consumers demands responsible projects, and banks already offer preferential loans for those incorporating efficiency.
Furthermore, sustainability implies economic savings: installing a photovoltaic system in a two-million-dollar building costs around $30,000 and allows covering elevators and pumps with self-generated energy.
“I have never heard anyone boasting about their apartment consuming less heating, but rather about having an efficient car. And the savings in housing are ten times higher,” exemplifies Cabrera.
Cabrera warns about greenwashing: “It is not the same to have a facade decorated with wood as to have a truly sustainable structure.” Authenticity requires technical and ethical coherence.
International Inspiration and Local Vision
In Japan, Cabrera observed wooden houses with burnt planks that have been preserved for centuries without maintenance.
In Uruguay, there are already projects that bet on clean technologies and renewable materials, although they are still few.
Collective Commitment: Building Change from All Sectors
Governments, developers, architects, and consumers have a key role.
“The market is changing,” states Cabrera, but insists that the commitment must be collective. “Uruguay signed a commitment to reduce emissions. Construction is a key way to achieve this. What is missing is the courage to demand and change.”
