5 Key takeaways from AIA’s first Regenerative Design Summit

Professionals of many stripes gathered at AIA’s Global Campus for Architecture & Design® on Tuesday, Oct. 13, for AIA’s first Regenerative Design Summit. The goal of the gathering was to ideate on two deliverables: an advocacy framework and a practice action agenda.  

Regenerative design seeks to go a step beyond building sustainability toward actively restoring the processes of the natural environment.

“It’s no longer enough to focus on one building and one site,” Jamie Van Mourik, Assoc. AIA, of Living Future told gathered attendees. Rather, architectural practitioners need to look holistically at a proposed project’s social and ecological environments and consider the bigger picture.  

“Future generations will live with the consequences of what we choose to do or choose not to do,” AIA 2026 President Illya Azaroff, FAIA, told the assembled audience.  

To underscore the importance of centering Indigenous voices in conversations around regenerative design, the summit included video addresses from Papali’i Dr. Failautusi Avegalio of the University of Hawaii, Manoa; New Zealand architect Huia Reriti, FNZIA; and Dune Lankard, an Indigenous leader from Alaska.  

Read on for five key takeaways from the day-long gathering of architects, researchers, policymakers, investors, and practitioners.  

1. Architects should connect with mayors and local governments to explore what is possible in terms of enabling and codifying regenerative design.  

During the day’s first session, which focused on government leadership and public policy, Matthew Tuerk, the mayor of Allentown, Penn., challenged architects to do one simple thing when it comes to regenerative design: call their mayor.  

“Get in touch, offer your assistance,” he said. Finding out what is possible in terms of regenerative projects in communities can only happen as a result of relationship-building between architects and their local governments. Whether it’s designing an upcoming municipal project or helping to codify regenerative practices into local law, it all can start with a phone call.  

2. Where financial value appears can be different in different communities.  

Because of the nature of how regenerative projects interact with local communities and ecosystems, they may be able to access diverse sources of funding depending on where they’re located.  

Victoria Salinas, Climate Leader in Residence at Duke University and a current Public Director on AIA’s 2026 Board of Directors, offered the example of a car wash in a drought-prone area of the Southwest. Because of “purple pipe” regulations, wherein non-potable purified water can be used for irrigation, agriculture, or industrial purposes, the project was able to come to fruition using C-PACE funding. Thinking creatively about funding sources can unlock more possibilities.  

3. Architects need to be vocal about creating a new paradigm around the economic logic of development.  

The second session of the day focused on finance, investment, and value creation. “There is a huge area of innovation in financial instruments,” said Monica Altamirano de Jong of ALTAMIRA Regenerative Finance, a Netherlands-based investment planning and advisory company. Her company is guided by three principles when investing in mission-driven projects: understand, plan, and finance. Financing regenerative projects at scale, she said, will require a paradigm shift and strong advocacy from architects and allies.  

“Traditional financiers don’t know about regenerative design,” said Krista Eggers of Enterprise Community Partners. Egger and others encouraged architects to become strong advocates for funding regenerative projects, using data and research to back up their advocacy as much as possible.  

Marc Mondor, AIA, pointed out a current misalignment that may pose challenges to getting regenerative projects built.  

“Developers need short-term returns on investments, while communities may be looking for longer-term return,” he said. “We need a structure by which we can satisfy both of those needs.”

4. Not sure where to start? Consider these questions.  

Scott Brideau, of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, had some tips for architects about how to frame the opportunities and challenges of regenerative design. As he shared, regenerative design is not a checklist of predetermined strategies, a “set it and forget it” solution, or problem solving in a vacuum.  

Rather, it’s a deeply integrative way of designing for place, an opportunity to deliver meaningful results, and a multi-generational commitment aligned with nature’s timetable. Describing five “capitals” beyond finances, Brideau encouraged those involved in regenerative projects to aim for balanced outcomes/ROI in these categories: social, environmental, human, economic, and infrastructure.  

5. The work continues.  

“The goal is not to finalize answers,” Azaroff told attendees in his closing remarks. “This is a point on a journey.”  

During an interactive afternoon workshop, attendees identified opportunities and next steps toward drafting the Regenerative Design Advocacy Framework and the Regenerative Practice Action Agenda.  

Erin Rovalo, of the Biomimicry Institute, brought up supply chokepoints and project vulnerabilities caused by the Build America, Buy America Act and identified an opportunity to develop bio-based materials to create more options within the program while introducing circularity and buy-back programs. This was just one example of a policy idea floated by an attendee to bake regenerative practices into the design process.    

Azaroff encouraged attendees to keep thinking and strategizing about regenerative design after leaving the summit.  

“Each of us has a role in making sure our work continues after we leave this room,” he said.  

Katherine Flynn is AIA’s director, digital content.