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

and being-in-the-world in ways that explore teaching Exemplifying the radical potential of this approach, they
practices, theories, and models of innovation that not only introduce the concept of the Biosynthetic Towers Project,
include but also go beyond the private-public axis. The where complex buildings are designed and erected entirely
featured work expresses different values pertaining to our through biological programming rather than standard
emerging ecological era, where articles discuss prototypes, construction technology.
pilots, practices, and cultural demonstrators that address Xiao Wang and Claudia Pasquero integrate biological and
the significant challenges of climate change. They activate artificial intelligence in Ecological Thinking in Regenerative
concepts, methods, and innovation ecosystems that Architecture: Relevance of Abduction in ecoLogicStudio’s
interrogate established approaches within the practice, DeepGreen Research Project to explore potentially similar
research, and teaching of architectural agendas. These essays patterns using Gregory Bateson’s notion of “abduction”
collectively form a snapshot of what regenerative architecture within the urban landscapes and infrastructures in three
currently means, providing an overview of its promises, cities: Guatemala City (Guatemala), Mogadishu (Somalia),
limitations, and contradictions. The contributions, however, and Vranje (Serbia). By juxtaposing Western and Chinese
are not exhaustive, and the readers are also invited to explore methodologies, they seek the creation of new dialogic
what the emerging discipline could be. Collectively, these spaces that foster innovation across cultures, potentially
contributions encourage dialogue across cultural divides, leading to an integrated, yet diverse, regenerative approach.
establishing a critical relationship with the concept of In Bioregenerative Algal Architectures, Ramandeep
regeneration that, on a global scale, links East to West, North Shergill further explores how algae act as a platform for
to South. They provide a range of tools, principles, and
practices that help catalyze a new relationship with nature, resource circularity in space and how this translates
the environment, and our planet. into the urban condition. In this context, regenerative
architecture is established through bioregenerative life
In Microbial Technologies: Toward a Regenerative support strategies that engage with various microalgae
Architecture, I delve into applications of microbial species as a platform for humans to become multiplanetary
technologies in realizing an infrastructure for regenerative species.
architecture, drawing on collaborative projects I have In The Seductive Choreography of Space: Learning
coordinated and designed. These tiny agents, which are Regenerative Design Strategies from (Cyborg) Flowers by
not visible to the naked eye, have, nonetheless, established Rachel Armstrong, Anna Vershinina, and Rolf Hughes,
the base of the biosphere. Drawing on advances in further lessons from the creativity and organization of
molecular science and biotechnology, it is now possible plants are discussed as a way to inform the qualities of our
to establish architectural systems that can enliven the living spaces and cities. The authors, employing a design-
built environment and its territories through cyborgian led research approach, highlight the often-hidden ethical
couplings between digital and biological interfaces, considerations in designing the “living” choreography of
establishing a new relationship between waste, energy, space. Important themes such as alternative (non-human)
and human inhabitation via microbial “life.” I further sensory apparatuses, choreographies for ecosystems, and
consider the implications of installing and activating these biological strategies that can be adaptable by regenerative
cyborg infrastructures in Energy Manifesto: Principles for architects are explored. These principles and agendas are
Regenerative Architecture, Arts, and Design to position exemplified in the artistic artifact XENO (exhibited at
regenerative energy narratives as integral to engaging CIVA, Brussels, 2023), providing a thought experiment
with a “life force” that flows through all living bodies, that explores the diversity, complexity, and ethics of energy
rather than commodifying system outputs that continue to systems associated with regenerative designs.
valorize unlimited consumption.
In the essay From Burrow to Bungalow: Storytelling
Victor de Lorenzo and Miguel de la Ossa examine in Regenerative Architecture, Rolf Hughes argues for
the creative tension between technology-driven design the serious consideration of storytelling in regenerative
and biological processes through advances in synthetic architecture, highlighting its unique capacity to model
biology. In their essay, Synthetic Biology Enabling a the complexities of relations between humans, the built
Shift from Domination to Partnership with Natural environment, and the natural world. Exploring the
Space, they explore the potential of synthetic biology to potential role of storytelling in creating a more sustainable
redesign biological properties à la carte, including large- and resilient future, he cites relevant narratives from a
scale developmental programs, in ways that unlock the range of regions and cultures. Hughes takes a close look at
opportunity to rethink our interplay with space as a Franz Kafka’s The Burrow from a regenerative architecture
win-win conversation with the natural environment. perspective. Making a strategic switch to showing rather

Volume 6 Issue 1 (2024) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1882