
"BIOPHILIC DESIGN seeks to connect our inherent need to affiliate with nature in the modern built environment." - Stephen R. Kellert
"NET-POSITIVE DESIGN is often used as short-hand for buildings that generate more resources/energy than they consume.... Adding [positive] value to an ecological system means increasing its systemic capacity to generate, sustain and evolve increasingly higher orders of vitality and viability for life of a particular place." - Pamela Mang & Bill Reed
BIOPHILIC NET-POSITIVE DESIGN PROJECT: A "Living Lab" collaboration in research, teaching & practice
The Biophilic Net-Positive Design Project is a collaboration between faculty in architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture to explore the intersections between new theories and practices in biophilic, net-positive design, AND regenerative design, including their relationships to sustainable, resilient, socially responsible and equitable design. The project explores the potential of developing a Biophilic Living Lab at the University of Minnesota to improve health and environmental benefits across design scales and disciplines.
While the climate-change, energy, and performance benefits of net-positive design are well understood, we also believe that a biophilic approach to comfort, aesthetics, and well-being provides “added value” that supports mutual health and environmental benefits for humans, other species, and living systems. The project includes a series of online "Expert Conversations” with guest practitioners in Fall 2020 and a “Biophilic Living Lab Design Workshop” in Spring 2021. This research effort brings together a group of researchers, practitioners, faculty, students, and stakeholders to explore:
- A framework for strategic intersections between biophilic and net-positive design across scales and disciplines and relationships to sustainable, resilient, regenerative, and socially responsible and equitable design.
- Integrated performance metrics.
- Design opportunities for related “living lab” projects at the University of Minnesota.