The lecture aims to explore thesystemic design of buildings and cities to achieve low carbon emissions, highenergy performance and liveability. In order to address the complex challenges,a systemic perspective is required, which integrates critical aspects such asenergy demand and supply, human comfort, and their implications onarchitectural and urban design. This approach recognizes the interdependency ofdesign on different scales ranging from the material and component level to thebuilding and city level. Case studies from Zurich and Switzerland are used toillustrate the application of methods and the practical implementation ofsystemic design principles in living labs. One such example is the HiLo unit atNEST that exemplifies the integration of lightweight structures and innovativeenergy systems. By emphasizing the importance of systemic design, the lectureaims to inspire architects, urban planners, and policymakers to adopt holisticapproaches and analytical methods  or tackling the grand challenges thebuilt environment faces.