Regenerative and Positive Impact Architecture ― Learning from Case Studies

This book is a guide to energy efficiency and environmental impact assessment in high-performance buildings projects. It compares four state-of-the-art buildings to examine the steps needed for a transition from negative impact reduction architecture to positive impact regenerative architecture, utilizing life cycle analysis. The book provides a solid grounding in the areas of energy-efficient building and building materials life-cycle assessment, discussing carbon efficiency within a wider context that includes its technical, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions and covers the key areas for green buildings performance (operational and embodied energy). The analysis and comparison of four case studies of state-of-art modern building projects in Europe and North America serve as inspiring examples for architects and building professionals in the fields of high performance buildings, ecological materials and carbon efficiency.

Prof. Shady Attia is an architectural engineer and professor of sustainable architecture and building technology at the University of Liege in Belgium. He is a faculty member of the United States Green Building Council specializing in high-performance buildings, including net zero energy buildings and regenerative design. As an independent consultant and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-accredited professional, he has worked with several governments on building efficiency programs, and with private building design and energy consulting companies in the areas of building energy efficiency, green building certification and sustainability decision support.