Living Future Europe’s 2026 Masterclass: Regenerative Design in Practice has officially concluded its fifth edition, bringing together an international cohort of professionals for five final sessions focused on materials, equity, biophilia, regenerative value creation, and Project Work presentations. Across the closing phase of the programme, participants explored not only how buildings can reduce harm, but how the built environment can actively contribute to thriving ecological and social systems.
Session 6, Choosing Positive Products, focused on the Living Building Challenge Materials Petal and the role of transparency, non-toxicity, circularity and regenerative sourcing in material specification. Discussions highlighted Declare labels, FSC certification, circular economy strategies, and the growing importance of supply-chain accountability within regenerative design practice.
Session 7 explored the Equity Petal and the JUST programme, addressing universal access, inclusion, organisational transparency, and stakeholder engagement. Participants reflected on how regenerative design must extend beyond technical performance to include social justice, accessibility and community empowerment.
In Session 8, Beauty and Biophilia, participants examined how meaningful connections with nature, culture and place can become intentional design outcomes rather than aesthetic afterthoughts. The workshop explored Stephen Kellert’s biophilic design framework, practical retrofit experiences, and the importance of creating emotionally restorative environments.
Session 9 addressed The Financial Case for Regenerative Design, drawing from Living Future Europe and Ramboll’s recent research on five pioneering regenerative buildings, including the Bullitt Center, the Kendeda Building, and Prologis DC4 Eindhoven. Guest speaker Brogan McDonald challenged participants to rethink value creation beyond conventional financial metrics, introducing five interconnected lenses: financial, social, human, and nature value creation and protection.
The Masterclass concluded on June 3rd with the presentation of participants’ Project Works, which applied regenerative design principles to real-world challenges including student housing, circular material hubs, public housing, and structural engineering guidance. The final keynote by Jason F. McLennan, creator of the Living Building Challenge, invited participants to embrace “The Magic of Imperfection” and continue advancing regenerative thinking within their professional practice.
Through workshops, guest lectures, collaborative exercises and applied research, the 2026 Masterclass reaffirmed Living Future Europe’s commitment to accelerating a regenerative transition across the European built environment.
Want to check out the recording? You can access in the Professional Members’ Resource library here.
