How Regenerative Design is Shaping the Future of Facilities

10/21/2024

With environmental challenges intensifying, conventional building design and construction methods need to be quickly recast and leveled up to address the immediate climate crisis. Enter regenerative design, a practice that actively restores and enhances natural ecosystems. Embracing this approach offers a progressive way for facility managers, building owners, and commercial real estate professionals who are looking to go beyond standard sustainability practices. 

Six frameworks of regenerative design offer a forward-looking perspective to advance beyond conventional sustainability measures. By delving into these key commitments, we illustrate how this approach can elevate building performance, operational efficiency, and environmental stewardship. Through practical examples and real-world applications, we explore how these principles can reshape facility management strategies and contribute to a more sustainable future.  

The Six Commitments of Regenerative Design 

Regenerative design encompasses a set of core commitments that redefine how buildings interact with their environments. The following principles focus on creating structures that contribute to a sustainable future by being adaptable, self-sustaining, and integrative. Here’s a closer look at each commitment: 

1.) Buildings Designed for 500+ Years: Regenerative design advocates for buildings that are not only durable but also adaptable over centuries. Rather than being precise structures, these buildings are envisioned as dynamic entities that evolve with advancements and changing needs. A robust design, even with higher initial costs, ensures flexibility and long-term usability. For instance, the innovative design approaches seen at the Seaport District in Boston exemplify how buildings can integrate with and enhance their surroundings, respecting the existing context including the economy, while continuing a legacy of place-making well into the future. 

2.) Intelligent, Self-Maintaining, and Healing Buildings: Embracing principles of biomimicry, regenerative buildings are equipped to self-repair and adapt based on ongoing diagnostics. These structures are designed to respond to both environmental conditions and occupant needs, adjusting systems and operations to optimize performance over time. This approach ensures that buildings not only maintain their functionality but also contribute positively to their environment. 

3.) Designed Ecosystems Giving Back to the Grid: A key tenet of regenerative design is that buildings and landscapes contribute excess energy back to the grid, supporting and rejuvenating the broader ecosystem. This principle aims to address energy imbalances and promote equitable energy distribution, potentially eliminating energy poverty. A notable example includes the first urban “AGRIHOOD” in Detroit, which provides free food to 200 households.  

4.) Cradle-to-Cradle and Passport Certification: Regenerative design emphasizes the importance of understanding and documenting the lifecycle of materials. With cradle-to-cradle and passport certification, materials are tracked from origin to end-of-life, ensuring they can be repurposed, reassembled, or returned to their source.  

5.) Vernacularism Takes Hold: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) enables the use of local, indigenous resources in building design, fostering respect for and alignment with local environments. Vernacularism, in this context, ensures that buildings are not only contextually appropriate but also enhance the surrounding community and ecosystem. 

6.) Non-Existent Landfills: Projects are designed as self-sustaining systems, utilizing on-site biomass management and composting to handle waste. This method establishes a closed-loop cycle, converting waste into useful resources that nourish on-site vegetation and uphold ecological balance. In addition, there will be material/project buy-backs transitioning from a one-way economy to a one that is circular. 

The New Mindset for Regenerative Design 

Adopting regenerative design requires a fundamental shift in mindset, challenging traditional notions of building performance and embracing a holistic approach that integrates environmental, social, and economic factors. Achieving these goals necessitates rethinking how we design and interact with our built environments. 

In addition to the fundamental principles, several important aspects have been highlighted that further reinforce the necessity for a shift in mindset. Building designs that can endure and adapt to natural disasters is crucial for improving both resilience and sustainability. The emphasis on repurposing and adapting existing structures is also significant, as it helps lower the environmental impact compared to new construction. Finally, regenerative design should broaden its scope to include integration with the community and ecosystem, aiming to build a more cohesive and resilient environment. 

Benchmarking Success in Regenerative Design 

Success in regenerative design is often measured by various metrics, such as Energy Usage Intensity (EUI), which gauges a building's energy efficiency. In recent years, lab building designs have exceeded our expectations, with several now achieving LEED Platinum, LEED Carbon Net Zero, or Net Zero Ready certifications with minimal reliance on fossil fuels. Notably, Innovation Square 3, designed by SGA, is the first lab building in Boston to achieve both LEED Platinum and Net Zero certifications, showcasing significant advancements in sustainable building practices. 

Future Directions and Innovations 

Looking ahead, technological advancements like AI, 3D printing, material innovation and system integration will drive the next evolution in building practices. These technologies offer enhanced precision and efficiency, enabling more customized and optimized performance. When combined with the six core commitments of regenerative design, they significantly amplify the benefits of sustainable practices. 

Regenerative design provides a forward-thinking framework that not only reduces environmental impact but also actively enhances ecosystems. By applying these principles to facility management practices, we can achieve higher operational efficiency and sustainability in our structures. Embracing these principles will bring us closer to a sustainable future that benefits both our built environments and the planet. 

Joseph Mamayek is Principal at SGA.