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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Net-zero impacts in sustainable architecture

on the environment as possible. However, it is important being create net positive value across multiple stakeholder
to note that sustainable buildings do not aim to contribute levels, and material creativity decreases economic
positively to the environment; their essence lies in risk and throughput by emphasizing value over volume. To
impact reduction. implement these transformative changes, dominant design
approaches embrace new concepts such as the sustainable
4. Beyond sustainability humansphere. This framework aligns design with human
Upon reaching critical climate tipping points such as the needs within planetary boundaries. Additionally, the
collapse of Greenland’s ice cap (resulting in significant sea circular Technosphere integrates design into the technical
level rises), the disruption of the Gulf Stream currents in cycle and material productivity, while the regenerative
the North Atlantic (leading to altered weather patterns), the biosphere focuses on designing for biological cycles and
melting of carbon-rich permafrost (resulting in methane ecosystem regeneration. Together, these approaches bring
release), and the destabilization of the Amazon rainforest about changes for sustainable, circular, and regenerative
(McKay et al., 2022), a conservative approach to altering practices (Figure 1) (Konietzko et al., 2023).
the performance of building impacts will prove insufficient Despite the widespread adoption of such sustainable
in addressing the sequelae of the climate emergency. The solutions, global carbon emissions have been rising.
dominant industrial view of human development, however, According to data from the Global Carbon Project,
is being challenged by the advent of socio-technical systems global carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high in
that offer limits to growth for a planet seen as a pool of finite 2019, and while there was a slight decrease in 2020 due
resources and an ever-expanding population. In contrast, to the COVID-19 pandemic, emissions are expected to
socio-ecological systems based on the Gaia hypothesis return to their pre-pandemic levels (Candell et al., 2022).
consider the planet as a self-regulating organism, while Regenerative architecture, therefore, distinguishes itself
R. Buckminster Fuller’s notion of Spaceship Earth regards from sustainable architecture and its industries through the
the planet as a closed-loop system of material, energy, and dimensions of time and the transformational capabilities
information flows. These alternative perspectives pursue of matter. It exceeds the ambitions of sustainable buildings
distinct objectives compared to the conventional focus through investments in the natural realm judiciously,
on improving a company’s bottom line. Instead, they making efficient use of resource streams (energy and
introduce the Triple Bottom Line, where economic, social, material) while also repairing and restoring the natural
and environmental value creation is harmonized. This systems that support our communities. The resulting
approach ensures that planetary health and societal well- buildings entangle human development with ecosystems

Figure 1. The position of regenerative practices and their overlaps with broader narratives related to sustainable and circular concepts, adapted from
Konietzko et al., 2023

Volume 6 Issue 1 (2024) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1882