A Biophilic Approach to Net-Positive Design: Studio Lessons

This paper discusses the curricular objectives, exercises, design tools, methods, and outcomes of a seven-week graduate studio that explored a biophilic approach to net-positive design. We may be well aware of the performance and pragmatic aspects of net-positive energy in architecture, but what are the experiential and aesthetic opportunities and benefits? Could beauty, health, and well-being be as important to net-positive as are reducing waste, energy consumption, and environmental impacts? Biologist and naturalist E.O. Wilson’s “Biophilia Hypothesis” suggests that there is an innate need for human connection with nature. A biophilic approach to net-positive design encourages students to investigate the intersections between regenerative design responses to natural systems, habitat, environmental and bioregional forces, passive strategies, and health and well-being. This paper discusses design objectives, methods, tools, and outcomes of six sequential exercises that developed over the course of the seven-week studio. The iterative exercises used physical and digital study models, envelope details, sketching, photography, time-lapse video, and qualitative and quantitative assessments. Students considered the poetic, pragmatic, and performance-based design issues, trade-offs, and design implications.

https://doi.org/10.35483/ACSA.AM.108.109

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ISBN
978-1-944214-26-5