Orcid Publication

Detalle de: Metabolic Design Patterns for a Regenerative Architecture

Title Metabolic Design Patterns for a Regenerative Architecture
Abstract

The contemporary home remains trapped in a mechanistic paradigm of twentieth‐century resource consumption, where metabolic biological presence is considered irrelevant to the functioning of a building. Presenting the home as a conceptual vehicle for metabolically optimised living spaces in dense urban environments, this paper develops a conceptual framework of metabolic design patterns that enables the staged retrofit of bioreactors, from composters and fermenters to bioelectrical systems, into human‐occupied living spaces. By bringing circular resource processing into the heart of domestic life the principles for regenerative homes are established. Bioelectrical systems are given particular attention because they provide real‐time, connectable data through electricity as a medium for information, power, and chemical transformation simultaneously, forming a connective backbone for generating the metabolic design patterns. Three patterns are developed: Toilet as Hearth, Kitchen Garden, and Greywater Wetland, each integrating bioelectrical systems into the habitation programme to provide the respective architectural affordances. The framework proposes a staged retrofit pathway to implementation from passive sensing to neighbourhood metabolic exchange, supported by a conceptual anatomical atlas for diagnosing metabolic failures in established metabolic systems. This revaluation positions metabolic presence as a generative resource rather than a cost, directly addressing SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12.

Apa Reference Armstrong, R., Carbonell, P., Moodley, D., Ieropoulos, I. & Barriuso, J. (2026). Metabolic Design Patterns for a Regenerative Architecture. Microbial Biotechnology, 19(10). 10.1111/1751-7915.70456
Doi 10.1111/1751-7915.70456
Publication Date Oct 2026
Publication Type Article
Ontology
Researchers Pablo Carbonell
Research Groups
Tools

Suggest changes

Publications are synced automatically from ORCID, so they can't be edited here directly. Spotted something wrong? Let us know below and we'll take care of it.

← Return to Home