Regenerative design
The future of architecture isn’t just sustainable—it’s regenerative. AIA is equipping architects to design places that restore ecosystems, strengthen communities, and create a net-positive environmental impact.
Design for renewal, not just sustainability
The challenges facing our communities—from climate change and biodiversity loss to housing, health, and resilience—demand a new way of thinking about design. Regenerative design moves beyond minimizing environmental impact to creating buildings and places that actively restore natural systems, strengthen communities, and generate long-term value.
Architects are uniquely positioned to lead this shift. Whether you’re just beginning to explore regenerative principles or looking to deepen your practice, AIA provides the resources, learning opportunities, and practical guidance to help you integrate regenerative thinking into every project.
Help shape a more regenerative future for the profession.
Defining regenerative design
A clear, shared definition empowers a movement. Developed by the AIA Strategic Council and launched to the full membership, this one-pager gives architects an authoritative, consistent message to carry into their communities—the foundation on which all our regenerative work is built.
Setting the standard for design excellence
The AIA Framework for Design Excellence is our shared vision of good design in the 21st century. Comprised of ten principles relevant to every architect, client, and project, the framework guides progress toward a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy future—and is being updated to embed regenerative principles more directly into practice.
Turning regeneration into policy
Good design scales through partnership. This joint AIA–USCM report gathers regenerative strategies, outcomes, and policy opportunities from communities across the country.
A Regenerative Approach to Design Excellence (0.5 LU|HSW)
Regenerative design is a strategic opportunity, not just a mindset. In 30 minutes, this course introduces whole-systems thinking and place-based design, showing how architects can lead systemic renewal and create net-positive impact—connected directly to the AIA Framework for Design Excellence.
What’s Next for Architecture: Economy, Climate, and the Future of Practice (0.5 LU)
Climate leadership and economic vitality reinforce one another. This well-attended session broadens the regenerative conversation, helping members see how designing for the future of the planet and the future of practice are one and the same pursuit.
A Designer’s Guide to Holistic Material Selection (5 courses, 10 LU|HSWs)
Every material choice is a chance to improve health, equity, and the environment. This five-course materials certificate series equips architects to make smarter, lower-impact decisions—culminating in a lifecycle course with a substantial focus on regenerative design.
Decarbonizing the Built Environment: Improving Building Performance through Regenerative Design (1 LU|HSW)
Better performance and regeneration go hand in hand. Grounded in the latest research and real case studies, this session shares design techniques and analysis methods for achieving net-zero energy in existing buildings—proving regeneration works in retrofit as well as new construction.
The need for regenerative design in architecture (AIA Architect, April 2026)
Architecture is ready for its next evolution. In this Earth Day feature, 2026 President Illya Azaroff, FAIA, and fellow experts challenge the profession to move beyond mitigation toward restoration—asking whether every project can actively improve the living systems it touches. It's the invitation to reimagine what our buildings can give back.
6 Design trends driving a sustainable, regenerative future (AIA Architect, June 2026)
The most consequential sustainable work in the country is already underway. Drawing on three years of AIA COTE® Top Ten winners, this piece reveals six trends—led by mission-driven clients and the architects who partner with them—that show how community-centered design heals the environment and strengthens the systems that sustain us.
What does it mean to build a regenerative practice? (AIA Architect, June 2026)
Vision becomes real in the day-to-day of a firm. This article turns from the "why" to the "how," offering practitioners grounded strategies for embedding regenerative principles into their workflows, culture, and every project they take on.
What is regenerative design?
Regenerative design is a holistic approach to enhancing and restoring buildings, communities, and nature. It integrates buildings within their natural and social environments to actively restore ecosystems, strengthen communities, and create a net-positive environmental impact.
How can regenerative design improve buildings, communities, and the natural environment?
Regenerative design elevates architecture from minimizing harm to actively healing and renewing natural, built, and community systems. It marks an important shift in thinking, where buildings are interconnected components of their surroundings that maximize the carrying capacity of environmental and societal systems.
How can regenerative design become part of everyday architectural practice instead of a separate area of expertise?
Architects already serve in the role of visionary leader. By utilizing a forward-looking framework for addressing climate, resilience, and community well-being (AIA Framework for Design Excellence) from day one, architects can embed opportunities to create environmental, social, and economic value into every project. This is the catalyst for renewal.
How can architects engage clients in conversations about regenerative goals?
Architects do not specifically have to label a project as regenerative. We should discuss projects with owners by utilizing a common language that embeds strategies to achieve regenerative outcomes to deliver greater value to our clients. In doing so, we can increase accessibility to equitable environmental, social, and economic renewal.
Does regenerative design go beyond ecology?
Yes. It looks at how a project can positively contribute to people, communities, and natural systems. This broader approach aligns with all ten measures of the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, helping create places that are sustainable, resilient, healthy, and inclusive.
How can regenerative design avoid becoming another checklist-driven certification system that adds complexity without improving project outcomes?
Regenerative design is a design approach, not a certification program. Like the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, it uses guiding principles to inspire better decisions early in the process. Its purpose is to improve project outcomes through thoughtful design, not to add another layer of checklists, documentation, or compliance requirements.
How is regenerative design different from sustainable design?
Regenerative design builds on the foundation of sustainable design. While sustainable design focuses on reducing a project's environmental impact, regenerative design looks for opportunities to create positive benefits. It encourages architects and clients to design buildings that enhance the health of ecosystems, strengthen communities, and contribute lasting value to the places they serve.
What business advantages can architectural firms gain by offering regenerative design services?
Regenerative design gives architects a way to engage clients in meaningful conversations about how their project can create lasting benefits for the community, environment, and future generations. By identifying opportunities for positive impact early in the design process, project teams can build stronger relationships with community stakeholders, public authorities, and regulatory agencies. This proactive approach can support the permitting process by demonstrating how the project contributes to community well-being, environmental stewardship, and long-term resilience. In turn, regenerative design helps firms deliver greater value, strengthen client partnerships, navigate approvals more effectively, and distinguish themselves in the marketplace.