The articles included in this issue of the Perkins&Will Research Journal converge in their collective emphasis on environmental accountability. Each foregrounds the imperative to minimize both embodied and operational carbon, whether by extending material lifecycles in interior environments, modeling carbon sequestration in landscape design, or pursuing simplified yet high-performing façade systems. They also demonstrate a shift in disciplinary approach towards verifiable, data-driven methodologies to support design intent. The works collectively frame a larger social and environmental responsibility of the design practice. Proper regeneration will require moving from harm reduction to actively restoring ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, and strengthening resilience.
“Reducing Embodied Carbon in Practice: A Roadmap for Minimizing Embodied Carbon Impact Within Interior Environments” presents a comprehensive approach of regenerative design strategies to reduce embodied carbon in commercial interiors. Two case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of reusing existing spaces, salvaging and repurposing materials, prioritizing carbon-sequestering and certified wooden-based products, and designing for disassembly to enable future circularity. Life-cycle assessments verified significant reductions from the typical interior fit-out and effective regenerative pathways for sustainable interior environments.
“Sustainable Simplicity: The Future of Exterior Wall for Research and Education Buildings” offers a historical review of the façade industry and emphasizes how institutions, with a long-term outlook, are uniquely positioned to lead by example in environmentally innovative strategies, transforming façades into high-performing and sustainable assets. The authors identify opportunities in prefabrication, standardized assemblies, circular economy, and regenerative design, where durable materials, such as advanced composites and photovoltaic-integrated panels, promise long-term energy efficiency.
“Data-Driven Landscape Design: Advancing Sustainability with Landscape Information Modeling (LIM)” introduces a framework to address the gaps in biodiversity assessment and carbon sequestration modeling. For proof of concept, i-Tree and Climate Positive Pathfinder were integrated into a Landscape Information Model prototype implementation and tested in a mixed-use development project, combining forestry analytics and carbon tracking. The results show a promising approach to data-driven sustainable design decisions.
