LECTURE 01 Intro - definition IRD
Executive Summary
The core principles, planetary context, and academic framework of Integrative Regenerative
Design (IRD). The central thesis is a necessary paradigm shift from "sustainable" design, which
aims to be "less bad," to "regenerative" design, which actively seeks to be "doing good" by
restoring and enhancing social and ecological systems.
The urgency for this shift is framed by the concept of the Anthropocene, where human activity is
the dominant influence on the planet. This is evidenced by the transgression of six of the nine
critical planetary boundaries, including climate change, biosphere integrity, and freshwater
change. The construction industry is identified as a major contributor to these pressures,
accounting for 50% of all extracted materials and 30% of global water consumption.
In response, IRD proposes a holistic, multi-scalar approach—from materials to the entire
planet—guided by systemic thinking. The core principles involve designing with and for nature,
places, and people. The academic course aims to equip students with a worldview that sees
humans and economies as an integral part of nature, fostering proficiency in design approaches
that revitalize ecosystems and create thriving environments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The Imperative for Regenerative Design: Planetary Context
The need for regenerative design is rooted in the current geological epoch, the Anthropocene,
where human impact has reached a planetary scale, disrupting Earth's fundamental systems.
The Nine Planetary Boundaries
The concept of planetary boundaries identifies nine critical processes that regulate the stability
of the Earth system. Human activities have pushed several of these beyond their "safe operating
space," threatening global equilibrium. The progression of these transgressions highlights the
accelerating crisis:
• 2009: 7 boundaries assessed, 3 crossed.
• 2015: 7 boundaries assessed, 4 crossed.
• 2023: 9 boundaries assessed, 6 crossed.
The status of the nine boundaries is as follows:
Planetary Boundary Status Description
Climate Change Exceeded Rising CO2 concentrations and global temperatures alter climate patterns.
Biosphere Integrity Exceeded Significant loss of biodiversity threatens ecosystem health and resilience.
Land System Change Exceeded Deforestation and urbanization disrupt habitats and ecological functions.
Freshwater Change Exceeded Alteration of freshwater cycles surpasses the planetary boundary.
Biogeochemical Flows Exceeded Disruption of nitrogen and phosphorus cycles through human activity.
Novel Entities Exceeded Release of synthetic chemicals and other new substances into the environment.
Ocean Acidification Within Safe Space Increased CO2 in oceans lowers pH, harming marine life, but has not yet crossed the boundary.
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion Within Safe Space The ozone layer is recovering due to international efforts.
,Atmospheric Aerosol Loading Within Safe Space Airborne particles affect climate, but remain within the safe operating space.
Evidence of Global Impact
The Anthropocene is characterized by widespread environmental degradation and social
inequality, driven by current economic and production models. Key statistics illustrate the scale
of the challenge:
• Waste & Pollution: Approximately 1.2 billion people lack access to regular waste collection. Annually, 500,000 tons of plastic microfibers
are released into the ocean.
• Resource Consumption: Cities occupy just 2% of the Earth's land but consume over 70% of its resources. High-income countries
consume 27 tons of materials per capita, compared to only 2 tons in low-income countries.
• Social & Housing Crises: 1.6 billion people worldwide lack access to affordable, adequate, and secure housing.
• Water Scarcity: Agriculture accounts for 70% of global freshwater usage. The production of 1 ton of lithium consumes 500,000 liters of
water.
• Ecological Decline: Wildlife populations (mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians) have declined by an average of 73% over the last 50
years. Only 15% of the world's coastal areas remain ecologically intact.
• Carbon Emissions: Global carbon emissions reached a record high of approximately 38 billion tonnes in 2024.
The Construction Sector's Role
The built environment is a primary driver of these impacts. The global construction sector's
embodied impacts include:
• 50% of all extracted materials
• 30% of global water consumption
• 30% of global waste generation
• 12% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Economic Models and Limits to Growth
The dominant economic model, measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), promotes
continuous growth that is fundamentally linked to resource depletion and environmental
degradation. The 1972 "Limits to Growth" study warned that continued exponential growth
would eventually lead to collapse.
An alternative framework is offered by Kate Raworth's "Doughnut Economics," which proposes a
shift in focus from GDP growth to creating a "safe and just space for humanity." This model seeks
to meet the social foundation of human needs (e.g., housing, energy, food) while respecting the
ecological ceiling of the planetary boundaries.
2. Defining Regenerative Design
Regenerative design moves beyond simply mitigating harm to actively creating positive
environmental and social outcomes.
Core Definition
"Regenerative design is an approach in which human systems are designed to co-exist and co-
evolve with natural systems, ensuring planetary and social health."
It involves the full renewal and restoration of biological systems, urban places, and ecosystems
after injury or degradation.
Shifting the Paradigm: From Sustainable to Regenerative
,The discourse has evolved from sustainability, focused on efficiency and harm reduction, to
regeneration, focused on effectiveness and positive contribution.
Aspect Sustainable Design Regenerative Design
Core Aim Minimize negative impacts Achieve net-positive benefits
Motto "Less bad" "Doing good"
Resource Minimize consumption, waste, and
Replenish natural resources
Approach pollution
Regenerate the health of
Ecological Goal Prevent further ecological damage
ecosystems
Target Net-zero Net-positive
Focus Efficiency Effectiveness
Illustrative Global Projects
• Sea Vegetable (Japan): This startup cultivates seaweed on land and at sea to absorb
CO2, support marine ecosystems, and enhance biodiversity, integrating robotics and IoT
for greater impact.
• Kamikatsu (Japan): The first municipality in Japan to issue a "Zero Waste Declaration"
(2003), it achieves an over 80% recycling rate through meticulous 45-category waste
sorting, fostering a community-driven, environmentally conscious lifestyle.
• ReforesTerra (Brazil): A project aimed at restoring 2,000 hectares of forest cover on
degraded agricultural pastures. Its impacts extend beyond carbon sequestration to
restoring the regional water system, native biodiversity, and community well-being.
3. A Framework for Regenerative Design Implementation
IRD employs a systems-thinking approach that integrates multiple scales and is guided by a
clear set of principles.
Multi-Scalar Approach
Regenerative design must be applied holistically across interconnected scales, from the micro
to the macro:
1. Planet: Global systems and boundaries.
2. Region: Bioregions, watersheds, and ecological corridors.
3. City: Urban metabolism, integrated systems, and habitats.
4. Building: Structures as integrated ecosystems.
5. Building Layers: Skin, structure, services, etc.
6. Components & Materials: Bio-based, geo-based, and circular materials.
Core Design Principles
, Principle Key Actions
Learn from life's adaptations and utilize biological materials. Partner with nature
Designing with for infrastructure (nature-based solutions).Design for decomposition and
and for Nature reconnect natural cycles. Support the web of life by designing for clean air,
water, and soil health.
Be locally attuned and responsive to context. Integrate human systems with
Designing with natural ones rather than segregating them. Capture and grow surpluses (e.g.,
and for Places energy, water, food). Give land back to nature and bioremediate waste and
pollution.
Co-create healthy and resilient communities through participatory processes.
Designing with Partner with indigenous and traditional ecological stewardship. Value planetary
and for People and societal health over purely economic metrics. Address historical
inequalities through environmental justice.
Focus on creating positive, regenerative outcomes. Design for positive change
Systemic over time. View the built environment as entangled with, not separate from,
Design natural ecosystems. Create beneficial relationships between people, places,
and nature.
LECTURE 02 Bio-regions
Atelier Luma and the Principles of Bioregional Design
Executive Summary
Core principles, methodologies, and projects of Atelier Luma, a design and research laboratory
focused on developing new, sustainable ways of using the resources of a bioregion. Operating
from its base in Arles, France, Atelier Luma champions a "bioregional design" approach, which
involves a deep investigation into local materials—often agricultural co-products, industrial
waste, or underutilized natural resources—and transforming them into innovative solutions for
design, architecture, and manufacturing.
The organization's guiding philosophy is that "Materials are heavy and should stay local. Ideas
and people are light and are global." This is enacted through a replicable, circular methodology
comprising four key stages: Find (Investigation), Connect (Design), Engage (Implementation),
and Share (Transmission). This interdisciplinary process brings together designers, architects,
biologists, engineers, social scientists, and artisans to create new material ecosystems.
Key initiatives demonstrate this model in action. The renovation of the "Lot 8" building in Arles
serves as a flagship project, exclusively using raw materials sourced within a 70km radius, such
as rice straw, sunflower waste, and building rubble. Material-specific explorations in Arles have
led to the creation of algae-based bioplastics, salt-crystal building panels, and textiles colored
with local plant-based dyes.
Beyond its local anchorage, Atelier Luma cultivates a global network of "Biofabriques" to
exchange knowledge and adapt its methodology to different contexts. This is exemplified by the
renovation of a traditional Hanok house in South Korea using local oyster shells and the
"Biofabrique Vienna" project, which systematically transforms urban waste from subway
construction, bakeries, and breweries into new building materials. A detailed analysis of the
Executive Summary
The core principles, planetary context, and academic framework of Integrative Regenerative
Design (IRD). The central thesis is a necessary paradigm shift from "sustainable" design, which
aims to be "less bad," to "regenerative" design, which actively seeks to be "doing good" by
restoring and enhancing social and ecological systems.
The urgency for this shift is framed by the concept of the Anthropocene, where human activity is
the dominant influence on the planet. This is evidenced by the transgression of six of the nine
critical planetary boundaries, including climate change, biosphere integrity, and freshwater
change. The construction industry is identified as a major contributor to these pressures,
accounting for 50% of all extracted materials and 30% of global water consumption.
In response, IRD proposes a holistic, multi-scalar approach—from materials to the entire
planet—guided by systemic thinking. The core principles involve designing with and for nature,
places, and people. The academic course aims to equip students with a worldview that sees
humans and economies as an integral part of nature, fostering proficiency in design approaches
that revitalize ecosystems and create thriving environments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The Imperative for Regenerative Design: Planetary Context
The need for regenerative design is rooted in the current geological epoch, the Anthropocene,
where human impact has reached a planetary scale, disrupting Earth's fundamental systems.
The Nine Planetary Boundaries
The concept of planetary boundaries identifies nine critical processes that regulate the stability
of the Earth system. Human activities have pushed several of these beyond their "safe operating
space," threatening global equilibrium. The progression of these transgressions highlights the
accelerating crisis:
• 2009: 7 boundaries assessed, 3 crossed.
• 2015: 7 boundaries assessed, 4 crossed.
• 2023: 9 boundaries assessed, 6 crossed.
The status of the nine boundaries is as follows:
Planetary Boundary Status Description
Climate Change Exceeded Rising CO2 concentrations and global temperatures alter climate patterns.
Biosphere Integrity Exceeded Significant loss of biodiversity threatens ecosystem health and resilience.
Land System Change Exceeded Deforestation and urbanization disrupt habitats and ecological functions.
Freshwater Change Exceeded Alteration of freshwater cycles surpasses the planetary boundary.
Biogeochemical Flows Exceeded Disruption of nitrogen and phosphorus cycles through human activity.
Novel Entities Exceeded Release of synthetic chemicals and other new substances into the environment.
Ocean Acidification Within Safe Space Increased CO2 in oceans lowers pH, harming marine life, but has not yet crossed the boundary.
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion Within Safe Space The ozone layer is recovering due to international efforts.
,Atmospheric Aerosol Loading Within Safe Space Airborne particles affect climate, but remain within the safe operating space.
Evidence of Global Impact
The Anthropocene is characterized by widespread environmental degradation and social
inequality, driven by current economic and production models. Key statistics illustrate the scale
of the challenge:
• Waste & Pollution: Approximately 1.2 billion people lack access to regular waste collection. Annually, 500,000 tons of plastic microfibers
are released into the ocean.
• Resource Consumption: Cities occupy just 2% of the Earth's land but consume over 70% of its resources. High-income countries
consume 27 tons of materials per capita, compared to only 2 tons in low-income countries.
• Social & Housing Crises: 1.6 billion people worldwide lack access to affordable, adequate, and secure housing.
• Water Scarcity: Agriculture accounts for 70% of global freshwater usage. The production of 1 ton of lithium consumes 500,000 liters of
water.
• Ecological Decline: Wildlife populations (mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians) have declined by an average of 73% over the last 50
years. Only 15% of the world's coastal areas remain ecologically intact.
• Carbon Emissions: Global carbon emissions reached a record high of approximately 38 billion tonnes in 2024.
The Construction Sector's Role
The built environment is a primary driver of these impacts. The global construction sector's
embodied impacts include:
• 50% of all extracted materials
• 30% of global water consumption
• 30% of global waste generation
• 12% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Economic Models and Limits to Growth
The dominant economic model, measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), promotes
continuous growth that is fundamentally linked to resource depletion and environmental
degradation. The 1972 "Limits to Growth" study warned that continued exponential growth
would eventually lead to collapse.
An alternative framework is offered by Kate Raworth's "Doughnut Economics," which proposes a
shift in focus from GDP growth to creating a "safe and just space for humanity." This model seeks
to meet the social foundation of human needs (e.g., housing, energy, food) while respecting the
ecological ceiling of the planetary boundaries.
2. Defining Regenerative Design
Regenerative design moves beyond simply mitigating harm to actively creating positive
environmental and social outcomes.
Core Definition
"Regenerative design is an approach in which human systems are designed to co-exist and co-
evolve with natural systems, ensuring planetary and social health."
It involves the full renewal and restoration of biological systems, urban places, and ecosystems
after injury or degradation.
Shifting the Paradigm: From Sustainable to Regenerative
,The discourse has evolved from sustainability, focused on efficiency and harm reduction, to
regeneration, focused on effectiveness and positive contribution.
Aspect Sustainable Design Regenerative Design
Core Aim Minimize negative impacts Achieve net-positive benefits
Motto "Less bad" "Doing good"
Resource Minimize consumption, waste, and
Replenish natural resources
Approach pollution
Regenerate the health of
Ecological Goal Prevent further ecological damage
ecosystems
Target Net-zero Net-positive
Focus Efficiency Effectiveness
Illustrative Global Projects
• Sea Vegetable (Japan): This startup cultivates seaweed on land and at sea to absorb
CO2, support marine ecosystems, and enhance biodiversity, integrating robotics and IoT
for greater impact.
• Kamikatsu (Japan): The first municipality in Japan to issue a "Zero Waste Declaration"
(2003), it achieves an over 80% recycling rate through meticulous 45-category waste
sorting, fostering a community-driven, environmentally conscious lifestyle.
• ReforesTerra (Brazil): A project aimed at restoring 2,000 hectares of forest cover on
degraded agricultural pastures. Its impacts extend beyond carbon sequestration to
restoring the regional water system, native biodiversity, and community well-being.
3. A Framework for Regenerative Design Implementation
IRD employs a systems-thinking approach that integrates multiple scales and is guided by a
clear set of principles.
Multi-Scalar Approach
Regenerative design must be applied holistically across interconnected scales, from the micro
to the macro:
1. Planet: Global systems and boundaries.
2. Region: Bioregions, watersheds, and ecological corridors.
3. City: Urban metabolism, integrated systems, and habitats.
4. Building: Structures as integrated ecosystems.
5. Building Layers: Skin, structure, services, etc.
6. Components & Materials: Bio-based, geo-based, and circular materials.
Core Design Principles
, Principle Key Actions
Learn from life's adaptations and utilize biological materials. Partner with nature
Designing with for infrastructure (nature-based solutions).Design for decomposition and
and for Nature reconnect natural cycles. Support the web of life by designing for clean air,
water, and soil health.
Be locally attuned and responsive to context. Integrate human systems with
Designing with natural ones rather than segregating them. Capture and grow surpluses (e.g.,
and for Places energy, water, food). Give land back to nature and bioremediate waste and
pollution.
Co-create healthy and resilient communities through participatory processes.
Designing with Partner with indigenous and traditional ecological stewardship. Value planetary
and for People and societal health over purely economic metrics. Address historical
inequalities through environmental justice.
Focus on creating positive, regenerative outcomes. Design for positive change
Systemic over time. View the built environment as entangled with, not separate from,
Design natural ecosystems. Create beneficial relationships between people, places,
and nature.
LECTURE 02 Bio-regions
Atelier Luma and the Principles of Bioregional Design
Executive Summary
Core principles, methodologies, and projects of Atelier Luma, a design and research laboratory
focused on developing new, sustainable ways of using the resources of a bioregion. Operating
from its base in Arles, France, Atelier Luma champions a "bioregional design" approach, which
involves a deep investigation into local materials—often agricultural co-products, industrial
waste, or underutilized natural resources—and transforming them into innovative solutions for
design, architecture, and manufacturing.
The organization's guiding philosophy is that "Materials are heavy and should stay local. Ideas
and people are light and are global." This is enacted through a replicable, circular methodology
comprising four key stages: Find (Investigation), Connect (Design), Engage (Implementation),
and Share (Transmission). This interdisciplinary process brings together designers, architects,
biologists, engineers, social scientists, and artisans to create new material ecosystems.
Key initiatives demonstrate this model in action. The renovation of the "Lot 8" building in Arles
serves as a flagship project, exclusively using raw materials sourced within a 70km radius, such
as rice straw, sunflower waste, and building rubble. Material-specific explorations in Arles have
led to the creation of algae-based bioplastics, salt-crystal building panels, and textiles colored
with local plant-based dyes.
Beyond its local anchorage, Atelier Luma cultivates a global network of "Biofabriques" to
exchange knowledge and adapt its methodology to different contexts. This is exemplified by the
renovation of a traditional Hanok house in South Korea using local oyster shells and the
"Biofabrique Vienna" project, which systematically transforms urban waste from subway
construction, bakeries, and breweries into new building materials. A detailed analysis of the
