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.
, Within Safe Increased CO2 in oceans lowers pH, harming marine life, but has not yet crossed
Ocean Acidification
Space the boundary.
Stratospheric Ozone Within Safe
The ozone layer is recovering due to international efforts.
Depletion Space
Atmospheric Aerosol Within Safe
Airborne particles affect climate, but remain within the safe operating space.
Loading 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
Ecological Regenerate the health of
Prevent further ecological damage
Goal 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.
Designing Partner with nature for infrastructure (nature-based
with and solutions).Design for decomposition and reconnect natural cycles.
for Nature Support the web of life by designing for clean air, water, and soil
health.
Be locally attuned and responsive to context. Integrate human
Designing
systems with natural ones rather than segregating them. Capture
with and
and grow surpluses (e.g., energy, water, food). Give land back to
for Places
nature and bioremediate waste and pollution.
Co-create healthy and resilient communities through participatory
Designing processes. Partner with indigenous and traditional ecological
with and stewardship. Value planetary and societal health over purely
for People economic metrics. Address historical inequalities through
environmental justice.
Focus on creating positive, regenerative outcomes. Design for
Systemic positive change over time. View the built environment as entangled
Design with, not separate from, 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-
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.
, Within Safe Increased CO2 in oceans lowers pH, harming marine life, but has not yet crossed
Ocean Acidification
Space the boundary.
Stratospheric Ozone Within Safe
The ozone layer is recovering due to international efforts.
Depletion Space
Atmospheric Aerosol Within Safe
Airborne particles affect climate, but remain within the safe operating space.
Loading 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
Ecological Regenerate the health of
Prevent further ecological damage
Goal 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.
Designing Partner with nature for infrastructure (nature-based
with and solutions).Design for decomposition and reconnect natural cycles.
for Nature Support the web of life by designing for clean air, water, and soil
health.
Be locally attuned and responsive to context. Integrate human
Designing
systems with natural ones rather than segregating them. Capture
with and
and grow surpluses (e.g., energy, water, food). Give land back to
for Places
nature and bioremediate waste and pollution.
Co-create healthy and resilient communities through participatory
Designing processes. Partner with indigenous and traditional ecological
with and stewardship. Value planetary and societal health over purely
for People economic metrics. Address historical inequalities through
environmental justice.
Focus on creating positive, regenerative outcomes. Design for
Systemic positive change over time. View the built environment as entangled
Design with, not separate from, 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-
