The Earth's land area is approximately 510.1 million square kilometers, of which 71% is covered by water masses. The remaining 29% corresponds to the total land surface, which amounts to 147.629 million square kilometers. However, not all of this surface is usable for human activities. In fact, the built environment covers only 280,900 square kilometers, or just 0.2674% of the available planetary area.

This paper examines the reciprocal relationship between the natural and human-made environments and their vast interdependence, despite the seemingly small percentage of human intervention on the planet, and additionally its impact on architecture.

 

Starting with the geological structure of the planet and the climate, it investigates all stages of the creation and decomposition of buildings, noting the ecological footprint they leave on nature. Subsequently, it refers to the traditions sparked by each place from the earliest architectural endeavors of humanity to the practices born from the rise of technology. Finally, the importance of traditional architecture as a model for sustainable design is highlighted as well as the need to establish a modern architectural culture synonymous with respect for the environment and sustainability. However, it is clear that in this change of course, a comprehensive understanding of the environment is essential.