Francesco Ranaudo, an architect, engineer, and environmental advocate, believes we can. His work focuses on sustainable design and innovative architecture that adapts to a rapidly changing world.
On September 14th at #TEDxStuttgart, he’ll share his vision of rethinking concrete as a ’synthetic stone‘ for a circular economy.
We spend most of our lives inside buildings, yet we often overlook their impact on the environment. Francesco is committed to raising awareness and inspiring architects, engineers, and builders to adopt design principles that minimize environmental harm and contribute to a sustainable future.
© Francesco Ranaudo
- Please write five lines about yourself – what do you do in life, what life path have you taken, what are you proud of?
I’m an architect, structural engineer, researcher, and entrepreneur who’s passionate about the environment—how we use it and how we can protect it. My life path has never been a straight line, and I am grateful for the diverse experiences, friendships, and connections it has brought me. I am proud of contributing to the promotion of sustainable design practices and pushing innovation at the intersection of design and technology. - What do you consider the most important in your life (not just in your professional sphere)?
Knowledge is what I value most in life. It’s the foundation for growth and improvement, driving innovation and creativity. Knowledge also fosters empathy, enabling deeper connections and understanding with others. Through it, we can better ourselves, our communities, and the world around us. - The motto of this year’s TEDxStuttgart is „Change Is Now?!“ Architecture is usually built to last for centuries.
How can we reconcile constant change and architecture?
Architecture traditionally stands as a testament of the past, and we should indeed build to last. Yet, in a world of rapid change, the key to reconciliation lies in designing adaptable spaces that can evolve over time. This means embracing modularity, flexibility, and designing for the building’s end-of-life, allowing buildings to meet changing needs without sacrificing their core purpose. Architecture must now be as dynamic as the societies it serves. - What does “change” mean to you personally?
‘Change’ is a very ambiguous term. I naturally associate it with innovation and progress, but it also brings to mind pressing challenges like climate ‘change.’ Ironically, the only way to combat it is to ‘change’ our polluting practices. Ultimately, for me, ‘change’ is what’s necessary to achieve balance. - What will you be talking about at the TEDxStuttgart conference? Please formulate it as a classic Tweet in 140 characters.
Can ancient principles build a sustainable future? Rethinking concrete as a ‘synthetic stone’ for a circular economy. - Why do you believe this is an idea worth spreading (TED motto)?
How actionable is it for our listeners, what will they be able to do?
We spend most of our lives inside buildings, yet we often don’t fully understand how they’re made or the impact they have on the environment. My goal is to raise awareness so that people can advocate for sustainable solutions, and I aim to inspire architects, engineers, and builders to embrace design principles that can truly reduce the environmental impact of our built environments.