Designing a Greener Future

Rewilding is a conservation and ecological restoration approach that seeks to restore and protect natural ecosystems by reintroducing native species, reducing human intervention, and allowing natural processes to take place. The primary goals of rewilding are to promote biodiversity, enhance ecosystem health, and create self-sustaining, resilient landscapes.

Rewilding and architecture may seem like unrelated concepts, but there is a growing interest in exploring the relationship between the two in the context of sustainable and environmentally conscious design. This relationship can be seen in several ways:

Green Building and Sustainable Design: Architects are increasingly incorporating principles of rewilding and biodiversity into their projects. This can involve designing buildings with green spaces, courtyards and public gardens to support plant and animal life in urban areas. Such green infrastructure contributes to local biodiversity and helps mitigate the urban heat island effect.

Ecological Restoration and Site Design: Architects and landscape architects often work together to integrate ecological restoration principles into the design of homes, public spaces, residential and commercial developments. This can include re-establishing native plant communities, creating wildlife habitats, and incorporating water features that promote biodiversity.

Building Placement and Impact on Ecosystems: The location and design of buildings can have a significant impact on local ecosystems. Architects and urban planners can consider the ecological footprint of developments and prioritize preserving or restoring natural areas when planning new construction.

Sustainable Materials and Construction Practices: Architects can choose sustainable building materials and construction practices that have a lower environmental impact. This can include using reclaimed materials, minimizing energy consumption, and incorporating renewable energy sources into building design.

Adaptive Architecture: Some architects explore the concept of "adaptive architecture," where buildings and structures are designed to respond to changing environmental conditions. For example, buildings might have movable facades or roofs that can open to allow for natural ventilation, or they may incorporate stormwater harvesting systems such as the one at the Rhodes Architecture + Light Norway Hills property that flourishes with wildlife and natural flora.

Education and Awareness: Architects and other industry professionals can play a role in raising awareness about the importance of rewilding and biodiversity conservation through their designs. Buildings and public spaces can serve as educational tools to inform the public about local ecosystems and the need for their protection.

The urban rewilding movement envisions a return to natural wilderness within city landscapes. Botanist Akira Miyawaki pioneered this effort by restoring forest ecosystems on neglected urban land in Japan, achieving impressive results. His "Miyawaki method" has become a global movement, establishing miniature forests guided by his principles across the US, Europe, and Asia. These forests serve as carbon sinks, capturing substantial CO2, and provide a cooling effect, contributing to urban sustainability.

The relationship between rewilding and architecture involves integrating ecological and sustainability principles into the design and construction of buildings and urban environments. This approach aims to create spaces that not only serve human needs but also support and enhance local ecosystems, ultimately contributing to a more harmonious coexistence between built environments and the natural world.

Article first published on the Rhodes Architecture + Light blog.