In this episode of the Share Green Design podcast, Alina Kolar from HouseEurope! and Jesper Eis Erisksen of the OBEL Foundation discuss the growing movement to prioritise renovation over demolition in Europe's built environment.

Alina introduces HouseEurope!, a European Citizens’ Initiative aiming to shift the construction sector towards sustainable renovation. Backed by over 200 partners—from architects and environmental groups to grassroots campaigns—the initiative advocates for legal and financial tools to make renovation more accessible, affordable, and mainstream. One of their most impactful findings is that one house is demolished every minute in Europe, often unnecessarily, causing waste and carbon emissions.

The recent OBEL Award, presented to HouseEurope!, marked a significant moment: a major architecture prize recognising a civic initiative rather than a physical building. Jesper explains that the OBEL Foundation seeks to provoke discussion and broaden what architecture can represent—highlighting that architects should not only design buildings but actively shape society.

The conversation also touches on cultural differences across Europe regarding building preservation, the increasing focus on retrofit in architectural education, and the crucial role of public participation in shaping urban policy. Alina explains her interdisciplinary background and how HouseEurope! aims to empower citizens to reclaim a stake in their built environment.

Looking ahead, the initiative is gathering support through a legal proposal submitted to the European Commission, seeking to reduce barriers to renovation, such as cost, regulation, and lack of awareness. HouseEurope! envisions similar movements beyond Europe—perhaps even “House Africa” or “House America.”

The episode ends with a clear message: tackling the climate crisis requires rethinking the way we build and live, and citizen action—even as simple as signing a petition—can drive systemic change.

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In this podcast, Kai Liebetanz explores the concept of embodied ecological impact, a way of understanding how our construction decisions affect biodiversity throughout the entire lifecycle of materials. Unlike the usual focus on operational emissions or embodied carbon, embodied ecological impact highlights the effects on ecosystems from the extraction of raw materials to the demolition of buildings. Kai points out that while urban solutions like green roofs or greener cities are frequently discussed, these actions are insufficient in the face of global biodiversity loss, as they fail to address the hidden damages within supply chains.

He argues that materials such as steel, concrete, or glass may be linked to destructive processes like deforestation in the Amazon, and this is where much of the problem lies. Therefore, he calls for a broader perspective: it’s not enough to conduct local or partial impact assessments; a holistic view is needed that combines sustainability, biodiversity, and the circular economy. In this context, the circular economy is not just about reusing materials, but redesigning the system to minimise the extraction of virgin resources and waste.

Kai also criticises the general lack of awareness about the origins of materials and the lack of tools within the construction sector to make supply chains transparent—something that is more advanced in other industries like textiles. He proposes that as a first step, architects, engineers, and developers begin by investigating the origin of at least one material in their projects. Furthermore, he advocates for the sector to unite in demanding this information as part of product environmental declarations (EPDs), in order to drive real change.

Finally, he acknowledges the cultural, regulatory, and perception barriers, such as the preference for new materials and the difficulty of certifying reused materials. However, he insists that if the proper technical information is provided and its use well-argued, these obstacles can be overcome. The overarching message is clear: we must stop viewing environmental impacts as separate problems and understand that true sustainability will only be achieved if we address carbon, biodiversity, and natural resources together.

Host: Juan A. Morillas – Share Your Green Design

Kai Liebetanz is a sustainability professional with expertise in nature, resilience, and circular economy. He is fostering systems-level change through cross-sector collaboration. In addition, Kai is championing a regenerative, nature-positive built environment by addressing the industry’s biodiversity impacts. He is working with industry professionals in order to minimise resource use by supporting the built environment to shift from our current linear economy to a circular economy.

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Cris Ballester used to be the Balearic Housing and Architecture Director and used to be the Balearic Social Housing Institute (IBAVI) Manager and Director.

She graduated in Economics from the Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona and Ludwig Maximilians Universität, München and has a Master’s degree in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability from UNED & Jaume I University (UJI), and a Master's in Leadership and Organizational Development with Coaching and Neuroscience, from International University, California.

Cris was the Mallorca Island Council Director of Finance, Budgets and Projects from August 2015 to March 2019 being in charge of SCR development from July 2017 onwards.

She was also the Founder and CEO of Tucktuck Community, S.L. from 2012 to 2020, and international cooperant aid for the Fair Trade Project at Vicente Ferrer Foundation from March 2011 to June 2012, in Anantapur, India.

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In this episode, Juan A. Morillas speaks with Cris Ballester, who has worked on sustainability and social housing projects in the Balearic Islands. Cris shares her professional journey, from her experience at the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in India to her role at IBAVI (Balearic Institute of Housing), where she led sustainable housing projects using local materials such as marés stone and promoted circular economy practices.

The discussion highlights the challenge of building social housing sustainably without increasing costs, emphasising the importance of good design, responsible procurement, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Cris explains that IBAVI’s success lay in balancing environmental, social, and economic impact.

The episode also explores how sustainable architecture in the Balearic Islands has gained international recognition through awards and publications, serving as an inspiration for other regions. Finally, Cris reflects on her future career following her recent maternity leave and offers an inspiring message to young architects and developers: surround yourself with committed teams and pursue projects with real impact.

Host: Juan A. Morillas - Share Your Green Design

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