Due to technological advancement, we have the available tools and methodologies to transform our architectural practice from sustainable to regenerative. However, the lack of knowledge and inefficient coordination between stakeholders are hindering this endeavour. The integrated design process, with its wide application and positive impact in the built environment, can become a reality.
The increasing demand for a regenerative built environment is inevitable. However, only a few real projects exist which fulfil the goal of such a complex issue. To reach global Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) [1], the whole design & construction process and value chain must be studied carefully to create more of a positive impact. If the different stakeholder groups of a development and construction project do not understand each other’s interests, the idea of increasing the wellbeing and health of our society will remain just a dream.
For instance, in a commercial development project the primary stakeholders, such as the investor (private or public), the developer, the groups of specialists (such as the architects, engineers etc.), the authorities (municipalities, fire department etc.), general contractors, facility managers, inhabitants, the public etc., have different interests. The investor is rarely interested in reducing the utility costs because this requires further investment while less profit can be made. The contractor is involved in cutting down construction costs compared to what was contracted as much as possible. The building inhabitant, who is the most interested in a healthy and effective (water usage, energy usage, etc.) working and living environment, is rarely present at the planning and development phase.
However, high-performance and emerging state of the art buildings, such as projects developed according to the principles of regenerative architecture can be achieved through collaboration and coordination of the aims and work of the different stakeholders. In recent decades, during the development of complex and sustainable buildings, an ever-increasing emphasis has been put on adopting Integrated Design Project (IDP) [2],[3] or Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) [4].
Compared to the traditional planning and development method, which is a linear process, IDP or IPD is a circular project management process (Figure 5). Not only is real-time decision modelling a significant benefit of these integrated processes, so is the deeper involvement of stakeholders from the beginning.
Thus, all the participants in value creation are informed about the decisions, and, furthermore, they can influence them. An essential element of this process is that integration from the beginning makes it possible to harmonise the interests and aims of the stakeholder groups.
In the case of regenerative architectural creations, besides the traditionally known participants of the value chain, newer consultants, methods and tools are playing a more significant role in the production of high-performance buildings. Among these new participants, apart from the representatives of the engineering disciplines, there are also those of the social and natural sciences. For many, it has become clear that exclusively engineering solutions cannot respond to the architectural/built environment questions connected to human behaviour, health or well-being [5]. Thanks to this development/planning, teams also include doctors, scientists, sociologists, ecologists etc.
p-rp designer investor
facility manager contractor sustainability
landscape
design traffic and
transportation
disaster management
bim and parametric
speciality design,
façade, urban design permissions
structural
mechanical, electricity, energetics
coordinatoridp
Figure 5
Possible structure and group of stakeholders and the communication of an architectural project (source: Paulinyi-Reith and Partners Architects)
The key to increased adoption of regenerative architectural practice is the appropriate education of stakeholders within the value chain. Many methods and technologies are new or perceived to be new for project stakeholders, and a fear of the new or unknown or a lack of factual knowledge can distort decisions.
This can only be resolved by sharing knowledge and best practice.
REFERENCES
[1] UN News Centre: UN adopts new Global Goals, charting sustainable development for people and planet by 2030. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2015.
[2] A. Zimmerman, “Integrated Design Process Guide”, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [Online] Available at: http://www.infrastructure.alberta.ca/content/
doctype486/production/leed_pd_appendix_7a.pdf [Accessed 22.02.2019.].
[3] Sustainability Solutions Group, Integrated Design Process Facilitation, [Online], Available at http://ssg.coop [Access 22.02.2019.].
[4] M. Fischer, H. W. Ashcraft, A. Khanzode, D. Reed, Integrating Project Delivery, Wiley, 2017.
[5] K. B. Janda, “Buildings don’t use energy: people do”, Architectural Science Review, vol. 54(1), pp. 15-22, 2011.
Architects need to orchestrate the complex task of designing cities and buildings that reverse ecological damage, and enable ecological evolution and reinforce the state of health of inhabitants. Their design should thus regulate climate, provide habitat, cycle nutrients, purify water-air-soil and produce their energy and water. This moves architects to think of design as part of nature, which means studying, understanding and modelling not only buildings but all the natural systems and their inhabitants.
While this regenerative approach is attracting growing interest among design practitioners, transitioning from a traditional to a regenerative practice presents challenges.
Architecteure is moving from working on buildings in separation from their context to the design of living systems with co- evolutionary capacity, It is now seeing interrelationships across multiple scientific domains and patterns of change rather than static mono-focused design approaches (e.g. a design that is solely concerned with energy). It is increasingly understood that it is necessary to addresses phenomena in terms of wholeness rather than in terms of parts in order to create new and more meaningful relations.
To imagine solutions for adaptation to climate change, practitioners transfer biological and ecological knowledge into a design context. Looking at plants or animals that are highly adaptable or ones that survive in extreme climates or through climatic changes may provide insights into how buildings and cities could or should function. This requires the study of organisms and ecosystem in terms of forms, materials, construction methods, processes or functions.
Examining the qualities of ecosystems that enable them to be adaptable and resilient is a potential avenue to follow. However, scientists need to join the design team orchestra. We should thus think of regenerative design as an integrated blend of scientific disciplines, including but not limited to ecology, environmental engineering, biology, climatology, agriculture, physics, chemistry, material science, and medicine. Thus, it involves integrating a wide range of factors from the ecosystem level to individual molecules.