AT Regenerative Architecture Index 2024 17.09.24

Last Thursday, 12 September, the inaugural Regenerative Architecture Index (RAI) was launched at an event at The Bottle Factory in south east London.

Generated by Architecture Today and UK Architects Declare, the RAI sets out to benchmark practices’ progress in the move towards regenerative working and projects. It recognises the need for a built environment that isn’t merely reducing its negative impacts, but has positive impacts for today and the long term.

Sixty-eight organisations, mostly architectural practices but also engineers, charities and clients, including AHMM, participated in the Index, giving detailed information about their efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change and accelerate the transition to a regenerative, more equitable future.

The index is divided into three categories, which together offer a comprehensive overview of the way architects are redefining practice, the issues faced by the profession, and an unprecedented shift in values, priorities and ambitions:  

1) Being a good ancestor
This is about a shift in practice mindsets to consider truly long-term thinking. Our decisions today should consider seven generations ahead, ensuring adaptability and flexibility for the future. This requires innovative thought, as current models are rarely beneficial in the long term.

2) Co-evolving with nature
This is about recognising that we are part of nature, within integral living systems, not separate from it. Our work should actively regenerate ecosystems by learning from and working with natural systems. This requires designing for circularity and encouraging closed-loop energy, material and water cycles.

3) Creating a just space for people
This is about providing social connection, economic opportunity and wellbeing for all. Our design process should foster a shared sense of stewardship where neighbourhoods can self-organise and build their resilience. This requires ethical, inclusive and participative approaches.

For each question the assessors have picked out a ‘front-runner’, the practice deemed to have given the most interesting or insightful response, along with a ‘runner-up’ and a selection of ‘ones to watch’. AHMM were deemed runner up in a couple of the categories, including being ‘a good ancestor’ for our knowledge sharing, AT highlighted our ‘Delivering Net Zero In Use’ Toolkit which was published towards the end of 2023. We were also a runner up in the ‘co-evolving with nature’ category which highlighted AHMM’s Partnerships Group’s work providing capital, volunteers and ideas for local environmental groups in London and Bristol.

The responses have been published as a ‘Compendium of Best Practice’ in the September-October issue of Architecture Today.