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Regenerative Design

What is Regenerative Design?

The term “regenerative” describes a process that mimics nature itself by restoring or renewing its own sources of energy and materials. At HDR, our architecture practice views regenerative design as design that reconnects humans and nature through the continuous renewal of evolving socio-ecological systems.

Toward Zero, Beyond

Regenerative design moves beyond basic high-performance design towards renewal-focused impacts and metric-driven targets for carbon, water, nutrients, air, biodiversity, social and health categories.

Our regenerative design framework provides a holistic view of performance metrics that should be at the center of design. Bringing these focus areas forward as key design goals allows us to explore “net positive” impacts, set achievable goals against existing benchmarks, and consider the project in its broader context. 

See how we establish and track metrics

Perspectives on a Regenerative Future

Part of the solution to the climate emergency will require a holistic approach toward design that can positively contribute through regeneration. How do we adopt a regenerative design mindset and why is it important? We asked some of our leaders this question. 

Read what they had to say

How does the architecture, construction, and engineering industry need to transform to mitigate the dire consequences of accelerating climate change? How might regenerative design play a role in that transformation? We asked some of our leaders these questions.

Read what they had to say

Find Out More About Regenerative Design

Stay up-to-date on the latest planning, design trends and innovations for our architecture practice, including new regenerative design articles and tools.

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