Building with regeneratives

The construction industry continues to face major challenges: It consumes a good third of global raw materials, causes just as many CO₂ emissions and produces over 50% of waste. Regenerative architecture offers solutions by utilising renewable materials such as wood and clay, the circular economy and innovative construction methods. The aim is to conserve resources, reduce waste and create future-proof life cycles for buildings – a key to ecological, social and economic sustainability.

Around 40 % of global raw material consumption and CO₂ emissions as well as over 50 % of annual waste volumes can be attributed to the construction sector. In view of these burdens, regenerative architecture is becoming increasingly important. The focus here is on the use of renewable materials, a functioning circular economy and innovative construction methods to promote ecological, social and economic sustainability.

When we at Dietrich Untertrifaller talk about building with regenerative materials, we have in mind materials that are renewable, locally available and resource-saving – such as wood, clay or bamboo. These building materials are characterised by low grey energy, CO₂ binding and reusability. A central approach here is the circular economy: we plan buildings in such a way that the materials can be reused or recycled at the end of the building's service life. This significantly reduces the amount of waste and extends the utilisation cycles of the materials. Sounds simple? However, there is often a lack of standardised certification for sustainable materials, which has made it difficult to use them to date.

Clay, bamboo, wood – natural, local building
materials for regenerative architecture

Innovation and local resources

We believe that regenerative architecture offers pioneering solutions by combining traditional construction methods with modern technologies. Current examples such as the use of clay bricks in tropical regions or timber construction methods in urban areas show how local resources can be utilised effectively. Innovative approaches such as non-destructive deconstruction or the use of mycelium-based building materials expand the spectrum of sustainable construction methods. However, these approaches not only create ecological added value, they also promote local economic cycles and cultural identity. Projects such as the Waldorf School in Vienna-Mauer or the Lycée Tani Malandi on Mayotte illustrate how regenerative architecture can combine social responsibility with environmental awareness.

Waldorf School Wien-Mauer (Austria)

When extending the Waldorf School, we focussed on the preservation of historical structures combined with a sustainable new building in timber and clay. A healthy indoor climate was created through the reuse of excavated material for clay surfaces and the use of regional, natural materials such as wood and clay. The resource-conserving approach minimised demolition and therefore waste. Challenges such as the certification of sustainable materials were overcome with innovative solutions – a pioneering project for circular and regenerative construction in our eyes.

Lycée Tani Malandi on Mayotte (France)

In the spirit of bridging the gap between tradition and modernity, we use local materials such as bamboo, clay bricks and basalt for the concept of the Lycée Tani Malandi. The climate-friendly design utilises passive cooling through bamboo façades and roof overhangs, while the involvement of the local population promotes knowledge transfer and cultural preservation. The architecture is intended to create an inspiring learning environment that supports social and economic sustainability – and could thus become a model project for regenerative construction in tropical regions.

Strategies for sustainable building

Such an understanding of building requires innovative approaches now and in the future that combine ecological, social and economic aspects. In our view, three central strategies – preservation of existing structures, participatory processes and timber construction in urban spaces – offer promising solutions.

After all, preserving and repurposing existing buildings is one of the most sustainable construction practices. Instead of forcing demolition and new construction, we should continue to utilise existing resources such as building materials and infrastructure. This saves raw materials, reduces waste and preserves cultural heritage. Involving the community in construction projects creates acceptance, strengthens local value creation and promotes social sustainability. Participatory approaches help to better address local needs and actively involve the population in decision-making processes.

In addition to onboarding the community, we also believe that the further training of specialists in the field of sustainable construction is essential in order to realise innovative and future-proof construction projects. Three central topics – interdisciplinary collaboration, integration of technology and analysing the life cycle – play a key role here.

Respect for traditional techniques preserves cultural identity

rospect: Paradigm shift in the building industry

Building with regenerative materials requires close collaboration between architects, engineers, material experts and other specialists. Interdisciplinary teams look at complex challenges from different perspectives and develop innovative solutions. For example, energy-efficient and resource-saving buildings can be created by combining passive design principles with intelligent building technology. This synergy not only promotes technical innovation, but also improves the efficiency and quality of the construction process.

Intelligent systems such as IoT sensors, automated controllers and renewable energy systems can further optimise the energy consumption of buildings. Smart platforms monitor lighting, heating and cooling in real time and adapt them dynamically to usage. This not only reduces energy requirements, but also creates a comfortable environment for users when used correctly. The combination of such technologies with renewable energies such as solar or geothermal energy turns buildings into active participants in the energy transition.

How to quantify this in black and white? The life cycle analysis (LCA) offers a holistic view of the ecological impact of a building – from the extraction of raw materials to utilisation, disposal or recycling. It helps to select materials and construction methods that minimise the carbon footprint and promote a circular economy. Integrating LCA into the planning at an early stage helps us to make informed decisions that support both short-term and long-term sustainability goals.

Local resources and traditional techniques combined with innovative approaches / Photo: DTFLR, Tani Malandi

"Three central strategies –

the preservation of existing structures,

participatory processes and

timber construction in urban areas –

offer promising solutions."

Our vision of a regenerative building culture

Our understanding of a regenerative building culture goes far beyond the creation of sustainable buildings - it combines ecological responsibility with social and cultural relevance. Projects such as the Waldorf School in Vienna-Mauer and the Lycée Tani Malandi in Mayotte are examples of architecture that unites local resources and traditional techniques with innovative approaches. They show that sustainable building not only reduces the ecological footprint, but also strengthens communities, preserves cultural identity and provides economic impetus.

The use of regenerative materials such as clay and bamboo, the promotion of local economic cycles and participatory approaches enable a construction method that respects natural cycles and assumes social responsibility. The combination of tradition and innovation creates forward-looking solutions that are designed not only for the present, but also for future generations. These projects therefore also embody architecture that is deeply rooted in the local context and understands sustainability as a holistic approach – ecologically, socially and culturally.

Dominik Philipp and Claire Leroy (Project manager Tani Malandi)
Summary: Linda Pezzei, April 2025