Regenerative Design: Comfort, Energy and Water
Les 1: Strategies for regenerative design of services
1. From problem-solving to living systems thinking
Startpoint: problem to be solved => start a
process to solve
Analysis in a loop
Look for solutions
Creating architecture: Different phases in
architecture, follows a similar way
Creating building technologies: same procedure
Engineering: mostly same procedure
Product enhancements: experiences that don’t
match the needs, external forces, efficiency
Disadvantages: all working on different parts, doesn’t see the whole
Advantages: getting more knowledge on the behaviour of one
Analytical thinking vs. system thinking
Architects; system thinking: they find a solution for all the parts
1
,Evolution of heating system: central heating:
in all our spaces, in 70s
more insulation (5cm),
now much more
insulation, keeps the
warmth inside
Paradigma shift?
With all that insulation, is a central heating still a must?
We need to shift towards a new paradigm => well insulated building => only heat
living area & punctually the bathroom
Needs another viewpoint => system thinking
System thinking:
Way to approach issues by looking at them as systems
System thinker => someone who recognizes that a sum is greater than it’s parts
Tools of a system thinker: interconnections, emergence, synthesis, feedback loops,
causality, systems mapping
Design thinking:
Human-centred approach to
innovation, understanding
customer’s needs, prototyping, and
generating creative ideas.
Desirability, feasibility and viability
Mostly a linear process but has
feedback loops
Living systems:
Not mechanical, it’s a network of processes, constantly changing, system that is
constantly renewing itself
Constantly renewing = regenerating
Reflect on our life, how things are connected
Living systems = self organising => constantly adapt and evolve in response to
change in their environment. Disturbance => adaptation and resilience
2
, Living systems reflect the laws of Nature
Law of interdependence: in nature, everything is connected. Disturbance => affects
the whole network. System adapts by reorganising its relationship and redistributing
resources to maintain balance.
Law of flow and energy: energy and matter flow through living systems constantly.
Form of self-regulation => living systems can adapt efficiently to change and remain
resilient.
Law of dynamic Equilibrium: living systems are never static, they are in a state of
dynamic equilibrium => constantly adjust to external changes to maintain stability.
Law of evolution and emergence: disturbances can trigger emergence, where new
properties or behaviours arise in a system.
2. Frameworks as tools to explore, understand and discuss
Why we should use frameworks:
- Provide clear guidance
- Ensure holistic thinking
- Promote consistency
- Facilitate collaboration
- Measure and track progress
- Encourage innovation
- Adapt to diverse contexts
- Support long-term sustainability
2.1. Transition X-curve
By Jan Rotmans & his team DRIFT
Seeks to understand patterns and dynamics
of structural societal change
X-curve provides a simplified representation
of transitions that explicitly shows the
patterns of build-up, breakdown and their
interactions.
Example on heating systems:
3
, 2.2. Levels of Work
Living system thinking
Advantages: promotes open mindedness, fast learning & introduction,
encourages deeper thinking
Disadvantages: time-consuming, may not suit all contexts, abstract and
philosophical
2.3. Principles for regenerative design
Holistic framework
- Regenesis
- Carol Sandford
- Emmanuel Pauwels
7 principles
1. Wholeness
Holism values the whole of a
system, where all parts are
interdependent; splitting up leads
to limited understanding.
Interdependence creates value and
increases complexity, which is lost
when focusing on individual parts.
Buildings should be in harmony
with ecosystems and the
landscape, enhancing local
biodiversity.
2. Uniqueness
Each being is unique and expresses its own essence in a specific way.
No categorisation or ranking.
All beings have a unique role within a larger system.
Buildings and urban spaces should reflect the unique characteristics of
their location, taking into account culture, climate, ecology and social
dynamics.
Bring every unique part together
4
Les 1: Strategies for regenerative design of services
1. From problem-solving to living systems thinking
Startpoint: problem to be solved => start a
process to solve
Analysis in a loop
Look for solutions
Creating architecture: Different phases in
architecture, follows a similar way
Creating building technologies: same procedure
Engineering: mostly same procedure
Product enhancements: experiences that don’t
match the needs, external forces, efficiency
Disadvantages: all working on different parts, doesn’t see the whole
Advantages: getting more knowledge on the behaviour of one
Analytical thinking vs. system thinking
Architects; system thinking: they find a solution for all the parts
1
,Evolution of heating system: central heating:
in all our spaces, in 70s
more insulation (5cm),
now much more
insulation, keeps the
warmth inside
Paradigma shift?
With all that insulation, is a central heating still a must?
We need to shift towards a new paradigm => well insulated building => only heat
living area & punctually the bathroom
Needs another viewpoint => system thinking
System thinking:
Way to approach issues by looking at them as systems
System thinker => someone who recognizes that a sum is greater than it’s parts
Tools of a system thinker: interconnections, emergence, synthesis, feedback loops,
causality, systems mapping
Design thinking:
Human-centred approach to
innovation, understanding
customer’s needs, prototyping, and
generating creative ideas.
Desirability, feasibility and viability
Mostly a linear process but has
feedback loops
Living systems:
Not mechanical, it’s a network of processes, constantly changing, system that is
constantly renewing itself
Constantly renewing = regenerating
Reflect on our life, how things are connected
Living systems = self organising => constantly adapt and evolve in response to
change in their environment. Disturbance => adaptation and resilience
2
, Living systems reflect the laws of Nature
Law of interdependence: in nature, everything is connected. Disturbance => affects
the whole network. System adapts by reorganising its relationship and redistributing
resources to maintain balance.
Law of flow and energy: energy and matter flow through living systems constantly.
Form of self-regulation => living systems can adapt efficiently to change and remain
resilient.
Law of dynamic Equilibrium: living systems are never static, they are in a state of
dynamic equilibrium => constantly adjust to external changes to maintain stability.
Law of evolution and emergence: disturbances can trigger emergence, where new
properties or behaviours arise in a system.
2. Frameworks as tools to explore, understand and discuss
Why we should use frameworks:
- Provide clear guidance
- Ensure holistic thinking
- Promote consistency
- Facilitate collaboration
- Measure and track progress
- Encourage innovation
- Adapt to diverse contexts
- Support long-term sustainability
2.1. Transition X-curve
By Jan Rotmans & his team DRIFT
Seeks to understand patterns and dynamics
of structural societal change
X-curve provides a simplified representation
of transitions that explicitly shows the
patterns of build-up, breakdown and their
interactions.
Example on heating systems:
3
, 2.2. Levels of Work
Living system thinking
Advantages: promotes open mindedness, fast learning & introduction,
encourages deeper thinking
Disadvantages: time-consuming, may not suit all contexts, abstract and
philosophical
2.3. Principles for regenerative design
Holistic framework
- Regenesis
- Carol Sandford
- Emmanuel Pauwels
7 principles
1. Wholeness
Holism values the whole of a
system, where all parts are
interdependent; splitting up leads
to limited understanding.
Interdependence creates value and
increases complexity, which is lost
when focusing on individual parts.
Buildings should be in harmony
with ecosystems and the
landscape, enhancing local
biodiversity.
2. Uniqueness
Each being is unique and expresses its own essence in a specific way.
No categorisation or ranking.
All beings have a unique role within a larger system.
Buildings and urban spaces should reflect the unique characteristics of
their location, taking into account culture, climate, ecology and social
dynamics.
Bring every unique part together
4
