#86: Regenerative Architecture Index - Accelerating towards a regenerative built environment
Apr 22, 2024
auto_awesome
Alisdair Ben Dixon, Anna Lisa McSweeney, and Isabel Allen discuss the Regenerative Architecture Index, aiming to promote regenerative practice in the built environment. They delve into the definition of regenerative design, challenges in the architectural industry, and the importance of community engagement. The podcast explores case studies, advocacy for sustainable solutions, and the submission process for the index.
Regenerative design focuses on sustainable interactions with nature, symbiosis, and community impact.
Architects empower change by educating on regenerative design, showcasing examples, and collaborating with stakeholders.
The Regenerative Architecture Index promotes ongoing innovation, refinement, and community building in regenerative practices.
Deep dives
Overview of Regenerative Architecture Index
The Regenerative Architecture Index (RAI) sets a benchmark for regenerative practice in architecture and the built environment. It aims to move beyond just reducing negative impacts to creating positive impacts for the long term. Submissions are open until May 17, 2024, with a focus on showcasing projects that elevate best practices in regenerative architecture.
Key Principles of Regenerative Design
Regenerative design emphasizes three main principles: being a good ancestor, co-evolving with nature, and creating a just space for people. It involves adopting a mindset focused on sustainable interactions with nature, promoting symbiosis, reciprocity, and resilience in design, and considering the long-term legacy and community impact of projects.
Role of Architects and Urban Design Professionals
Architects and urban design professionals play a crucial role as educators and facilitators in promoting regenerative design concepts to the public. By engaging in empathetic discussions, showcasing tangible examples of regenerative projects, and embracing collaboration with diverse stakeholders, designers can help drive positive change and community involvement in sustainable design practices.
Regenerative Architecture Primer and Community Building
The Regenerative Design Primer provides accessible information on regenerative design principles, serving as a resource for architects, designers, and other professionals. It offers practical steps, tools, and case studies to guide individuals in adopting regenerative practices. The primer supports community building by encouraging shared knowledge, collaboration, and continuous improvement in regenerative design approaches.
Evolution and Impact of the Regenerative Architecture Index
The Regenerative Architecture Index operates annually, with each year building on the successes and lessons learned from previous cycles. It aims to evolve, refine its criteria and judging process, and foster a growing community of professionals committed to regenerative design practices. By encouraging ongoing submissions and feedback, the index seeks to drive continuous innovation and excellence in regenerative architecture.
In conversation with Alisdair Ben Dixon (Collective Works), Anna Lisa McSweeney (White Arkitekter) and Isabel Allen (Architecture Today) about the new Regenerative Architecture Index (RAI). Launched by Architecture Today and UK Architects Declare, the Regenerative Architecture Index (RAI) sets out to benchmark practices progress in the move towards regenerative practice and projects. It recognises the need for a built environment that isn’t merely reducing its negative impacts, but has positive impacts for today and the long term.
We discuss why they created the index, how they define 'regenerative design' and shifting towards regenerative practice in the built environment.