Regenerative Design

In this minor, you will design a building that goes a step further than all applicable sustainability aspects. You will engage in regenerative design, basing all your choices on adding life, as defined by Paul Hawkin. How can we design not only with conservation in mind, but also with a strong focus on improving systems as a whole?  How do you build, how do you choose materials, and how do you ensure that the designed building contributes to a cleaner, more social, and more ecological world?

Note: this period 2 module ‘Regenerative Design’ (15EC) can be combined with a period 1 module, for example: ‘Future Cities’ (15 EC) or ‘Wood and Composite Structures’.

Subject:

In this minor, you will work on a specific design assignment from the professional field to design a building that highlights regenerative aspects. A background in architecture, construction or some kind building technology is required for this minor. If in doubt please contact the lecturer.

By setting your own ambition to focus on, you will not only explore the breadth of the subject, but also its depth. You will do this through extensive research and design research. On a technical level, you will also propose solutions that demonstrate how you have incorporated your ambition.

Several companies are also involved in this minor, where you will attend lectures and actually see things in practice. Excursions are an important part of this minor, and you will also be able to design your own excursion.

•    Collaborating in an international team of students

•    Setting an ambition and how to assess it

•    Implementing knowledge of regenerative design in your own design

•    Design-based research

•    Tools for measuring circularity in your design

Two years of a bachelor's degree in architecture or similar. The minor will be taught in English, and English at level B2 is required

In the first week, we will work on a interdisciplinary task in which we will delve into a current theme. This is linked to companies and multiple minors. The first week is a starting point for you to delve into regenerative design. Together with a group of students from different backgrounds, you will work on a design issue with different disciplines. This will be completed in the first week.

In the following weeks, you will work with a smaller group on designing a regenerative building. With clear weekly tasks, you will work under the guidance of experienced teachers from the field towards a Preliminary Design with an explanation of technical components. During these weeks, various perspectives on regenerative design will be explained by experienced professionals from the field.

This module is based on 40 hrs availability/week, of which on avarage 16 hours will be scheduled.  

The minor is assessed by means of an integrated assignment in which all aspects learned are assessed. This ensures that all components offered are linked to each other.

The final grade consists of a team assignment and an assessment of on your individual work.  

Costs

The minor is essentially free of charge. However, you should take into account the costs of printing work, drawing supplies, tansport and model materials.

Additional information

If you would like to know more about this minor, please feel free to send your question to:

t.m.van.boheemen@windesheim.nl