Page 60 - JCAU-6-1

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Exploring abduction in regenerative design

1. Introduction of nature and humans in the Anthropocene. It presents
DeepGreen, a project-based research framework developed
As the resource impacts of the urbansphere become by ecoLogicStudio in collaboration with the University of
ubiquitous in the Anthropocene (Poletto, 2018), sustainable Innsbruck and the Bartlett UCL. This research initiative
building design has faced criticism for its perceived explores the design of urban ecological infrastructure
inadequacy, often seen as merely sustaining the status quo employing the coupling of biological and artificial
and minimizing harm rather than actively improving and intelligence (AI), of humans and non-humans, thereby
benefiting the planet (Littman, 2009). A paradigm shift is establishing novel urban design protocols (Pasquero &
thus called for in the notion of sustainability, prompting
architecture to evolve toward circular and regenerative Poletto, 2021a). The bio-cybernetic approach contributes
principles (Pasquero & Poletto, 2023a). Advocating for to regenerative purposes by introducing multiple design
the engagement of living and natural systems as both agents and creating intricate feedback loops (Figure 2).
the medium for and generator of architecture (Littman, These loops foster mutual balance, self-regulation, and
2009), the manifesto of regenerative architecture resonates system resilience, facilitating the seamless integration
with the wisdom embedded in ancient Chinese Daoist of architectural and ecological systems. Moreover, the
philosophy. This philosophy explores the intricate interplay bio-cybernetic approach lends robust support to the
between humans and nature. However, in the face of the architectural relevance of cybernetics (Pask, 1969) and
pervasive hybridization of artificial and natural systems in human ecology (Geddes, 1915; Odum, 1993).
the post-human era, the connotation of nature undergoes Dissecting the project, the article focuses on exploring
a profound transition into a state referred to as post- an innovative and ecological design thinking mode for
nature (Figure 1). This shift necessitates a contemporary regenerative architecture from the perspective of abduction.
reinterpretation of classical philosophical beliefs. In this The discussion of this bio-cybernetic approach extends
context, it is worthwhile to reflect on and draw lessons beyond optimization and problem-solving, encompassing
from the profound principles of “Nature and Humans in its creative potential and natural embodiment. On the
One Unity (天人合一)” and the core concept of “the Dao one hand, the ideation of this project accords with the
Imitates the Laws of Nature (道法自然)” found in ancient logic of innovative abduction, initially implied by Pierce
Chinese urban planning and building construction. This and later officially named by Habermas (Roozenburg,
reflection becomes crucial in addressing today’s concerns 1993). It aims at triggering innovations that transcend
related to holistic, balanced, and harmonious urbanism. the status quo. On the other hand, as non-human design
This paper adopts a bio-cybernetic standpoint to agents function as extensions of the human mind (Nassetti
scrutinize regenerative architecture, delving into the et al. 2019) to engage in meaning-searching activities and
dynamic nexus within nature and investigating the unity capture innovative insights, this paper explains abduction
as a cognitive method in depicting the “mind ecology”
(Bateson, 1979, p. 86). This bio-cybernetic regimen shapes
spatial decisions in a manner that is compatible with
the living world. The pattern of relations adheres to the
law of morphogenesis and transcends mere imitation of
biological forms.
This research posits that the bio-cybernetic stance
and the morphogenetic approach share commonalities
with the holistic conception of nature and the ecological
viewpoint present in ancient Chinese Daoist philosophy.
Such alignment could potentially contribute to an
enhanced understanding and contemporary interpretation
of the principles encapsulated in “Nature and Humans in
One Unity” and “The Dao Imitates the Laws of Nature.”
This reinterpretation is beneficial in addressing today’s
concerns related to holistic, balanced, and harmonious
urbanism. Henceforth, the study endeavors to facilitate
discourse between Eastern and Western trends of thought,
Figure 1. AI-driven speculation on the prospective urban fabric of Venice
as shaped by the biological intelligence of its liquid lagoon infrastructure. culminating in a cohesive yet heterogeneous regenerative
Source: ecoLogicStudio, Deep Green, Urbansphere, Venice, 2021 approach.

Volume 6 Issue 1 (2024) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1084