PLEA stands for “Passive and Low Energy Architecture,” an international network committed to the development, documentation and diffusion of the principles of bioclimatic design and the application of natural and innovative techniques for Sustainable Architecture and Urban Design. It was founded in 1982 by the North American architect Arthur Bowen, with the aim of translating good design practice into theory focused on the passive design qualities of architecture — a reaction to the growing reliance on artificially controlled environments and increasing energy dependency in buildings. For over 40 years, the network has engaged in a worldwide discourse, mainly through international conferences held around the globe.

Honorary PLEA Fellows are spiritual supporters who have substantially contributed to passive and low energy architecture and sustainable design, being a reference to the Cause of the PLEA Network (PLEA – Sustainable Architecture and Environmental Design – https://www.plea-arch.org/). The figure of PLEA Honorary Fellow was created in 2018, with the aim to inspire associates and friends from the network with examples of outstanding and original practices for environmental design from around the world. They are invited by the board on a regular basis.

kb&co attended the World Congress of Architects 2026 in Barcelona this June, joining more than 10,000 participants and 250 speakers, to hear some of the latest architectural thinking geared to address current and future challenges and opportunities of a planet in transition and affected by the climate and social crisis. Organised around three themes, “Becoming More than Human,” “Becoming Circular” and “Becoming Embodied,” a series of presentations and conversations among architects, landscape designers, consultants and critical thinkers showed through their practice and theories how the built environment can be reshaped to create a diversity of more environmentally attuned habitats.

We resonated most with “Becoming More than Human,” which opened up a conversation about designing for more natural, rather than purely artificial, conditions. While the sessions demonstrated strong environmental design principles, we felt there was room to go further, to talk about how natural, healthier conditions can genuinely revolutionise design, bringing environmental quality into the conversation alongside energy performance.

When addressing sustainability, we seem to be in a period of chasing words in design: ‘zero carbon’, ‘timber is good, concrete is bad’, ‘photovoltaics’, ‘health and well-being’. These have become the go-to vocabulary of our time, often replacing real thought and reflection. In our design process and efforts to deliver environmentally responsive design solutions, have we lost the power of observation and the culture of discussion and debate? Are we now simply presenting individual work only for the architects to abstract what seems of interest, rather than engaging in genuine exchange and collaboration.

Klaus will share his thoughts on the current state of sustainability in his lecture at The Bartlett, reflecting on how architecture works best when it is integrated, when structure, environment and human experience are conceived as one.

Our collaboration with Lacaton & Vassal Architects, Pritzker Architecture Prize laureates, facilitated through Atmos Lab, is grounded in a shared vision that values transformation over new build. Centred on a confidential project in Paris, with future opportunities in Italy, the partnership reflects a belief that sustainability begins with respect for what already exists, changing only what is necessary and extending through selective intervention.

Lacaton & Vassal’s philosophy of renewal rather than demolition aligns with our own commitment to simplicity, integrity and care for place. Our role as kb&co on these projects is to bring environmental and technical intelligence into the design process, challenging conventional thinking and norms and supporting teams in exploring how climate-responsive design can enhance spatial freedom and everyday comfort, creating architecture that is adaptive, resilient and of its place.

We are delighted to share the news of our successful competition win for the Perth Airport Terminal Extension in Western Australia, led by Woods Bagot with Nordic Office of Architecture, Architectus, WSP and others. With a total investment of more than AU$5 billion, the new development will integrate international and domestic terminals, aprons and taxiways into a single, seamless passenger experience.

kb&co, as Sustainability Consultant working alongside Cundall, will support the wider design team, particularly the architects, in integrating passive design strategies and resource-efficient systems within the terminal, aligned with a 5 Star Green Star rating and ISC (Infrastructure Sustainability Council) Silver/Gold certification.