Short answer

Shift from designing for minimal negative impact to designing for positive ecological and social contribution throughout the building's entire existence.

Field: Sustainability
Source: Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften digital collection (Zurich University of Applied Sciences) (2019)
Method: Literature Review and Expert Synthesis
Evidence: Strong effect

Buildings can be designed, operated, and maintained regeneratively by integrating restorative principles throughout their entire lifecycle, moving beyond current partial sustainability measures. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften digital collection (Zurich University of Applied Sciences). Using Literature review and expert synthesis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Shift from designing for minimal negative impact to designing for positive ecological and social contribution throughout the building's entire existence.

Study

SustainabilityHigh ImpactStrong effect

Integrate Restorative Principles for Regenerative Building Lifecycles

Buildings can be designed, operated, and maintained regeneratively by integrating restorative principles throughout their entire lifecycle, moving beyond current partial sustainability measures.

Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften digital collection (Zurich University of Applied Sciences) · 2019

Key Findings

01Current construction and operation practices only partially incorporate sustainable or regenerative values.
02A paradigm shift from 'business as usual' to a regenerative economy is hindered by existing barriers.
03Robust strategies are needed to guide the transition towards regenerative construction and operation.

Application

Design takeaway

Shift from designing for minimal negative impact to designing for positive ecological and social contribution throughout the building's entire existence.

How to apply

Incorporate lifecycle assessment tools that go beyond carbon footprint to evaluate regenerative potential, and develop procurement frameworks that reward restorative outcomes.

Project actions

01Consider the 'second life' of materials and components in your design.
02Research procurement models that support sustainable and regenerative building practices.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can buildings be constructed, operated, and maintained in a regenerative manner by integrating restorative principles?

MethodLiterature Review and Expert Synthesis

ProcedureThis research synthesizes findings from a COST Action working group focused on regenerative construction and operation. It analyzes the state-of-the-art across procurement, construction, use & operation, and end-of-life phases, identifying gaps and opportunities for regenerative practices.

ContextBuilding and Construction Industry

Variables

IVIntegration of restorative and regenerative principles

DVRegenerative performance of buildings (construction, operation, second life)

CVBuilding type, climate, local regulations

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Comprehensive coverage of the building lifecycle.
+Synthesis of expert knowledge from a collaborative action.

Limitations

The complexity of implementing regenerative strategies in real-world projects, including regulatory hurdles and market acceptance, can be a significant challenge.

Reliability & validity

The findings are based on a synthesis of expert opinions and existing literature, making direct quantitative reliability and validity testing challenging. The strength lies in the consensus-building nature of the COST Action.

Think critically

To what extent can current 'sustainable' building practices be considered truly regenerative, and what are the most significant systemic changes required to achieve a regenerative built environment?

Design Principles

"Design for regeneration by integrating restorative principles across all stages of a building's lifecycle."

This approach challenges the status quo of construction and operation, which often falls short of true regenerative goals. By actively incorporating restorative and regenerative values, design practice can shift towards creating built environments that actively contribute to ecological and social well-being.

What This Means for Your Design

To make buildings truly good for the environment, we need to think about how they are built, used, and what happens to them afterwards, making sure they help nature and people, not just do less harm.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the adoption of regenerative design strategies in your project, highlighting the need to move beyond current sustainability standards.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the critical need to move beyond conventional sustainability by integrating restorative and regenerative principles throughout the entire building lifecycle. The findings underscore that current practices are insufficient, necessitating robust strategies to overcome barriers and achieve a paradigm shift towards regenerative construction and operation, impacting design decisions from procurement to end-of-life considerations.

Source

Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften digital collection (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)

Regenerative construction and operation

journal · 2019

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about integrate restorative principles for regenerative building lifecycles?: Shift from designing for minimal negative impact to designing for positive ecological and social contribution throughout the building's entire existence. Evidence: Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften digital collection (Zurich University of Applied Sciences) (2019).
Why does "Integrate Restorative Principles for Regenerative Building Lifecycles" matter for design?: This approach challenges the status quo of construction and operation, which often falls short of true regenerative goals. By actively incorporating restorative and regenerative values, design practice can shift towards creating built environments that actively contribute to ecological and social well-being.
How can designers apply this research?: Shift from designing for minimal negative impact to designing for positive ecological and social contribution throughout the building's entire existence.
What were the main findings?: Current construction and operation practices only partially incorporate sustainable or regenerative values.. A paradigm shift from 'business as usual' to a regenerative economy is hindered by existing barriers.. Robust strategies are needed to guide the transition towards regenerative construction and operation.
What research method was used?: Literature Review and Expert Synthesis.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften digital collection (Zurich University of Applied Sciences).
What should I do differently in my next project?: Incorporate lifecycle assessment tools that go beyond carbon footprint to evaluate regenerative potential, and develop procurement frameworks that reward restorative outcomes.
What are the limitations?: The research is a synthesis of expert opinions and existing knowledge, and practical implementation challenges may vary significantly by region and project type.