Design Magazine AXIS Vol.221 on Sale December 28 !

Regenerative Architecture

The expression "regenerative" is often used in various fields these days. This expression, which may be interpreted as "enabling natural systems such as our environment (the sources of energy and materials), implies not simply maintaining the current status, but regenerating the environment to a better state by actively improving many physical systems. The environmental issues that are becoming more dire can no longer be overcome through ideas on sustainability alone. A more aggressive design stance than simply contributing to "regenerating and recovering" the environment is necessary by moving further in the sustainable direction of "being gentle and reducing the load" on the environment. In order to advance in that direction, it is necessary to approach "making things" from more inclusive long-term perspectives such as "for the (social) environment and diverse living things" rather than the conventional mechanism and methodology of "for human beings." The featured articles in this issue explore new relationships between architecture and natural systems through possibilities of such regenerative architecture.

10 regenerative architecture that reshapes the environment

Today, building materials, construction methods, and urban development that contribute to the regeneration and restoration of the natural environment are actively explored using cuttingedge technologies. Meanwhile, in regions across the world facing emerging environmental issues or being affected by natural disasters, diverse projects have been implemented to create unprecedented value with novel ideas. From architecture to material development, we introduce initiatives with visions of environmental regeneration.

What is "architecture that is like a phenomenon" ? ー Implementing regenerativity in society

The Forest Regenerative Project is being conducted by Utopia Agriculture Inc. based in Hokkaido. The participants of this project that explore ideal forms of model farms adjacent to urban areas include principal at Domino Architects Yusuke Oono, gene researcher Kosuke Katano, and CEO of nomena inc. (creative studio) Shohei Takei. We had them discuss what should be done to implement regenerative architecture in society.

Sci Tech File
Creating beautiful plant structures ―The mystery of intercellular communication

When observing the stems and roots of plants on the cellular level with a microscope, you notice a beautiful, orderly world formed within. In that world without designers, information exchanged between cells accomplishes that beauty. "Which cell sends what kind of signal, and what kind of substance receives the signal?" Moreover, "What kind of genes are involved in the mechanism?" We visited the lab of Professor Naoyuki Uchida who unravels the mechanism and explores the sources of plants' inner beauty at the Center for Gene Research, Nagoya University.

Kinya Tagawa's BTC Talk Jam
Guest : Yosuke Maeda (Board of Director and CEO of WOTA)

This series navigated by Kinya Tagawa of the design innovation firm Takram talks with top runners who connect the three fields of business, technology, and creativity. It closes in on the works, and ideas behind them, of those who will attract attention in future society.

TOHOKU Research by TAKT PROJECT
Time that exists outside the dichotomy of hare and ke

There must be "something" that was forgotten in the process of developing a city centered around human beings. I visited places in the Tohoku region (north-east Japan) that possesses a harsh nature and a unique "fringe" culture in an attempt to find clues to future design from what has been forgotten there.

INSIGHT
Africa's Fashions Resist being Defined, Confined, and Sidelined

The V&A's Africa Fashion exhibition, on now until 16 April 2023, showcases Africa's clothing and creativity in a way that hasn't been done before. The exhibition's Lead Curator Dr. Christine Checinska shares her thinking behind the curatorial processes.