Authored by Michael Winn, Sr. Director, Political Affairs & Engagement, American Institute of Architects (AIA)
For decades, architects have sought to design “sustainable” or “green” buildings: projects that minimize negative impacts on the environment, take as little as possible and conserve natural resources. But what if city leaders, architects, engineers and developers focused instead on creating buildings that actively and positively contribute to both their local community and enhance the natural environment? What could cities look and feel like if buildings go beyond carbon neutral, and improve public health by cleaning the air and water? What if city leaders partnered with architects and developers to design and construct buildings that not only reduce their demand for nonrenewable energy, but create enough renewable energy on site to support operation, even through a severe weather event?
These are questions asked by architects and design professionals within the emerging field of Regenerative Design. Regenerative Design represents a mindset shift from scarcity to abundance, from doing less harm to actively creating positive outcomes, both for the environment in which the building is located, and the community of people who use it.
What Does “Regenerative Design” Mean in Practice?
The Whole Building Design Guide outlines the following key objectives of regenerative design:
- Produce their own energy: Projects generate energy, often via on-site renewables, in order to meet their needs, and may create more energy than they consume.
- Harvest, filter and reuse water on-site: Projects reduce demand on municipal infrastructure, manage stormwater and often close the water cycle.
- Use materials thoughtfully: Buildings use responsibly sourced, healthy building materials, with attention to waste reduction, reuse and circular economies.
- Integrate building systems with ecology, landscape and human health: Designs strive to create healthy indoor environments, connect occupants with nature and support biodiversity.
- Design for adaptability and resilience: Buildings are responsive to changing climates, community needs or environmental conditions.
“Regenerative design sees each building as part of a connected system — not just design, but ecology, community and future.”
Why Does Regenerative Design Matter?
The Center for Sustainable Landscapes in Pittsburgh offers a clear example of why regenerative design matters more every day. The building, which was formerly a toxic wasteland, is now a thriving educational center and a bustling hub of human activity. This transformative project sits at the forefront of innovation and stands as a symbol of what regenerative design strategies can bring to sites that have been written off.
“Starting with a dilapidated brownfield which was once used as a fueling and supply station for the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works, the 2.9-acre site now hosts one of the world’s greenest buildings, a landscape of native plants and a slate of science education programs held in indoor and outdoor classroom spaces to foster the growth of tomorrow’s environmental stewards.”
– Whole Building Design Guide
Regenerative design, when applied thoughtfully, provides a powerful framework for cities to not just limit the negatives of development, but to actively advance the positives. Meeting this opportunity means rethinking how we plan, build and inhabit our environment. AIA is dedicated to supporting city leaders who are interested in learning more about regenerative design practices.
You can read more in AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence.
Visit the NLC Strategic Partnerships page to learn more about the organizations like American Institute of Architects dedicated to making NLC the premier resource for local governments.
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