The depth of our approach to regenerative design stands alone.

Regenerative design is an approach to design and development that creates symbiotic systems to support ecological health and biodiversity. It acknowledges that ecosystems are complex, interconnected, and inherently resilient and design today has a responsibility to work in harmony with nature, rather than against it, to bolster the environment’s capacity to regenerate itself.

Our approach to regenerative design is based on three principles:

1. Regenerating Existing Assets: The assets you already have in your city, company, or community are able to do more. After all, most of the time the greenest assets are the ones already in place. By maximizing the potential of what you already, a foundation is set to deliver deeper benefits for the overall regenerative design project.
2. Following Permaculture Design Principles: By applying permaculture principles to the design of regenerative design systems, resources are optimized, waste is minimized, and thriving ecosystems are supported through every step of the process. NurtureStructure is led by Certified Permaculture Design Consultants, providing trained expertise from first steps.
3. Embracing Interbeing: the concept of interbeing, or the interconnectedness of all things, anchors our unique perspective on how we use regenerative design to create and maintain healthy environments. This holistic view is a key principle that can help city planners, policymakers, and residents work together to develop thriving urban ecosystems that benefit both human and non-human inhabitants.

When regenerative design is part of your beliefs in how the world should work – when you can feel it in your bones, like we do, your project’s success is locked in from the word go.

An overview of how our regenerative design services help clients and communities:

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For those who want to read more about regenerative design, here’s an introductory article we put together for you:

As humanity grapples with the consequences of climate change, overpopulation, and depletion of natural resources, the need for sustainable solutions is more urgent than ever. One approach gaining momentum is regenerative design, which seeks to emulate and work with nature to create systems that not only sustain but also enhance the health of ecosystems. In this article, we will explore the principles of regenerative design, its application to natural systems, and the benefits it offers in fostering a more resilient and sustainable future.

What is Regenerative Design?

Regenerative design is a holistic approach to design and development that focuses on the creation of systems that support ecological health and vitality. Drawing inspiration from nature, this design philosophy is based on the understanding that ecosystems are complex, interconnected, and inherently resilient. Regenerative design aims to create human-centered systems that work in harmony with nature, rather than against it, restoring and enhancing the environment’s capacity to regenerate itself.

Principles of Regenerative Design

The core principles of regenerative design provide a framework for designing systems that are resilient, adaptive, and symbiotic with nature. Some key principles include:

• Systems thinking: Recognizing that everything is interconnected, regenerative design considers the whole system, rather than focusing on individual components.
• Biomimicry: Learning from nature’s patterns, strategies, and processes to inspire the design of more efficient and resilient systems.
• Circular economy: Emphasizing the need to reduce waste and pollution, regenerative design promotes the use of renewable resources and the recycling or repurposing of materials.
• Resilience: Designing systems that are adaptable to change, capable of withstanding shocks and disturbances, and able to recover quickly from disruptions.
• Regeneration: Prioritizing the restoration, revitalization, and enhancement of ecosystems, so they can continue to support life and provide essential services.

Regenerative Design in Natural Systems

Regenerative design can be applied to various sectors, including agriculture, architecture, urban planning, and energy. By integrating regenerative principles, these fields can create systems that work with nature to foster ecological health and resilience.

Agriculture: Regenerative agriculture practices such as no-till farming, cover cropping, and agroforestry can increase soil fertility, reduce erosion, enhance biodiversity, and sequester carbon. By working with natural processes, regenerative agriculture supports ecosystem health while providing food and other resources.

Architecture: Regenerative architecture focuses on creating buildings and spaces that are energy-efficient, adaptive, and harmonious with their surrounding environment. This can include using renewable materials, incorporating natural elements like green roofs and living walls, and designing spaces that promote social and ecological well-being.

Urban Planning: Regenerative urban planning seeks to create cities that are resilient, sustainable, and integrated with natural systems. This can involve designing green infrastructure, promoting biodiversity and connectivity, and ensuring that urban spaces support both human and ecological health.

Energy: Regenerative energy systems prioritize the use of renewable resources and the efficient distribution and storage of energy. This can include solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy sources, as well as decentralized microgrids and energy storage solutions.

Regenerative design offers a transformative approach to creating systems that work with nature, rather than against it, fostering a more sustainable and resilient future. By learning from and emulating the principles of natural systems, humanity can develop innovative solutions that restore and enhance the health of our planet. As we face unprecedented global challenges, regenerative design presents an opportunity to harness nature’s wisdom in creating a world that thrives for generations to come.

References for further reading on regenerative design and its applications:

1. Van der Ryn, S., & Cowan, S. (2007). Ecological Design, Tenth Anniversary Edition. Island Press. https://www.islandpress.org/books/ecological-design-tenth-anniversary-edition

2. Mang, P., & Reed, B. (2012). Designing from Place: A Regenerative Framework and Methodology. Building Research & Information, 40(1), 23-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2012.619882

3. Biomimicry Institute. (n.d.). What is Biomimicry? https://biomimicry.org/what-is-biomimicry/

4. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (n.d.). Circular Economy. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy

5. Rhodes, C. J. (2012). Feeding and Healing the World: Through Regenerative Agriculture and Permaculture. Science Progress, 95(4), 345-446. https://doi.org/10.3184/003685012X13504990697967

6. McDonough, W., & Braungart, M. (2013). The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability—Designing for Abundance. North Point Press. https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780865477483

7. Beatley, T. (2016). Handbook of Biophilic City Planning & Design. Island Press. https://www.islandpress.org/books/handbook-biophilic-city-planning-design

8. Hawken, P. (2017). Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. Penguin Books. https://www.drawdown.org/