Indoor Spaces: Regenerative Design
From sustainable designs to regenerative designs
Part 1: Introduction
A. Quality of a building
1. Comfort of the user (punctual)
i. Acoustical comfort
ii. Thermal comfort
2. Health requirements (long term)
i. Ex. Ventilation application
3. Sustainability construction
i. Economical
ii. Ecological
iii. Sociological
4. We add: Regenerative Architecture
i. An active contribution to the environment’s restauration and improvement
ii. Healthier and more sustainable living/working
B. Regenerative Architecture:
1. Global view/goals
i. Minimize negative impacts on the environment actively contribute to restoring
AND improving ecological systems
ii. Optimize positive impact on human well-being
iii. Holistic approach <-> linear approach
a. Design
b. Construction
c. Operation
d. Deconstruction
e. Adaptation
iv. Combining strategies and link them to specific context
v. Be critical when choosing materials: evaluate their life cycle
a. Extraction
b. Production
c. Use
d. Disposal
2. How? Strategies:
i. Passive Design strategies: To reduce reliance on mechanical systems.
a. Natural lighting, ventilation, thermal comfort
b. Conserves energy
ii. Use of recycled and low impact materials:
a. Minimizes resource depletion
b. Minimizes waste generation
iii. Net-Zero Buildings: To generate renewable energy as much as it consumes.
a. Minimize carbon footprint
b. Reduces buildings ecological footprint
iv. Biophilic Design: Intentionally integrating nature to foster a connection,
Improves occupant well-being and biodiversity
a. Green roofs
b. Living walls
c. Indoor plants
d. Views and access to nature
v. Water conservation and rainwater harvesting: To reduce water consumption
a. Efficient irrigation systems
b. Capturing and reusing rainwater
c. Supports local ecosystems
, vi. Biomimicry: Drawing inspiration from nature’s design principles
a. Energy generation
b. Ventilation
c. Material innovation
3. Regenerative requirements of materials
i. Low environmental impact
a. Locally sourced and/or recycled materials (low embodied energy)
b. Minimal pollution
c. Non-toxic/ low-toxicity materials
ii. Resource Efficiency
a. Minimizes the need for virgin resources
b. Renewable materials
c. High recyclability
iii. Circular Economy principles
a. Ensuring maximum resource efficiency
iv. Biodegradability and compostability
a. Natural degradation
b. After use, materials return to soil closing the nutrient loop
v. Health and well-being
a. Non-toxic materials
b. Improving IAQ
vi. Ecological integration
a. Materials that provide habitat opportunities for flora and fauna
vii. Long durability and low maintenance
a. Adaptability and flexibility
4. Global impact of materials
i. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):
Evaluates the environmental impacts of a material considering all stages.
Stages: extraction, production, transportation, use and disposal
ii. Carbon footprint:
Total greenhouse gas emissions
iii. Material efficiency
Higher ME = lower resource depletion and waste generation
iv. Recyclability
v. Toxicity and pollution potential
Impact on air, water and soil quality
vi. Circular economy principles = indication of its overall sustainability
C. How to asses/ evaluate a building?
1. LEED (USA)
= Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
2. BREEAM (Europe)
= Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
<-> points system
Evaluates the performance and sustainability of a building through 9 assessment parameters
i. Energy
a. Consumption and efficiency?
b. Carbon emission reduction?
c. Renewable energy sources?
ii. Water
a. Consumption and efficiency?
b. Water management and recycling?
c. Rainwater harvesting
From sustainable designs to regenerative designs
Part 1: Introduction
A. Quality of a building
1. Comfort of the user (punctual)
i. Acoustical comfort
ii. Thermal comfort
2. Health requirements (long term)
i. Ex. Ventilation application
3. Sustainability construction
i. Economical
ii. Ecological
iii. Sociological
4. We add: Regenerative Architecture
i. An active contribution to the environment’s restauration and improvement
ii. Healthier and more sustainable living/working
B. Regenerative Architecture:
1. Global view/goals
i. Minimize negative impacts on the environment actively contribute to restoring
AND improving ecological systems
ii. Optimize positive impact on human well-being
iii. Holistic approach <-> linear approach
a. Design
b. Construction
c. Operation
d. Deconstruction
e. Adaptation
iv. Combining strategies and link them to specific context
v. Be critical when choosing materials: evaluate their life cycle
a. Extraction
b. Production
c. Use
d. Disposal
2. How? Strategies:
i. Passive Design strategies: To reduce reliance on mechanical systems.
a. Natural lighting, ventilation, thermal comfort
b. Conserves energy
ii. Use of recycled and low impact materials:
a. Minimizes resource depletion
b. Minimizes waste generation
iii. Net-Zero Buildings: To generate renewable energy as much as it consumes.
a. Minimize carbon footprint
b. Reduces buildings ecological footprint
iv. Biophilic Design: Intentionally integrating nature to foster a connection,
Improves occupant well-being and biodiversity
a. Green roofs
b. Living walls
c. Indoor plants
d. Views and access to nature
v. Water conservation and rainwater harvesting: To reduce water consumption
a. Efficient irrigation systems
b. Capturing and reusing rainwater
c. Supports local ecosystems
, vi. Biomimicry: Drawing inspiration from nature’s design principles
a. Energy generation
b. Ventilation
c. Material innovation
3. Regenerative requirements of materials
i. Low environmental impact
a. Locally sourced and/or recycled materials (low embodied energy)
b. Minimal pollution
c. Non-toxic/ low-toxicity materials
ii. Resource Efficiency
a. Minimizes the need for virgin resources
b. Renewable materials
c. High recyclability
iii. Circular Economy principles
a. Ensuring maximum resource efficiency
iv. Biodegradability and compostability
a. Natural degradation
b. After use, materials return to soil closing the nutrient loop
v. Health and well-being
a. Non-toxic materials
b. Improving IAQ
vi. Ecological integration
a. Materials that provide habitat opportunities for flora and fauna
vii. Long durability and low maintenance
a. Adaptability and flexibility
4. Global impact of materials
i. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):
Evaluates the environmental impacts of a material considering all stages.
Stages: extraction, production, transportation, use and disposal
ii. Carbon footprint:
Total greenhouse gas emissions
iii. Material efficiency
Higher ME = lower resource depletion and waste generation
iv. Recyclability
v. Toxicity and pollution potential
Impact on air, water and soil quality
vi. Circular economy principles = indication of its overall sustainability
C. How to asses/ evaluate a building?
1. LEED (USA)
= Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
2. BREEAM (Europe)
= Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
<-> points system
Evaluates the performance and sustainability of a building through 9 assessment parameters
i. Energy
a. Consumption and efficiency?
b. Carbon emission reduction?
c. Renewable energy sources?
ii. Water
a. Consumption and efficiency?
b. Water management and recycling?
c. Rainwater harvesting
