Implementing Litman’s Nine Principles of Regenerative Architecture: An Evaluation of a Proposed Public Building Design in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The building and construction industry is a major contributor to environmental degradation, accounting for significant energy-related carbon emissions and resource consumption. While sustainable building designs have helped mitigate impacts, they often fail to address the complex challenges of unsustainable practices fully. This has led to the emergence of regenerative design principles, which view buildings as living systems capable of fostering the regeneration of natural systems. This study focuses on a proposed recreation centre design in Lagos, Nigeria, and evaluates its application of Litman's nine principles of regenerative architecture. The methodology encompasses a literature review, site analysis, and a comprehensive design assessment. The results demonstrate a well-integrated approach, with the design exemplifying principles such as Whole Systems Design Integration, Integration into the Landscape, Bold Ecology, and Intelligent Limits. The recreation centre actively contributes to restoring and enhancing the local ecosystem while fostering meaningful connections between the community and the natural environment. The findings provide valuable insights for architects, urban planners, and policymakers, showcasing the recreation centre as a model for integrating regenerative design principles into public spaces. Limitations of the study include its focus on a single case study and the lack of post-occupancy evaluation. Recommendations for future research include comparative analyses of multiple case studies and exploring the broader applicability of regenerative design in diverse public space contexts. By expanding the knowledge and applications of regenerative design, the built environment can catalyse positive change, actively contributing to environmental rejuvenation and community.