Guest editors:

Petra Gruber, petra.gruber@uni-ak.ac.at

Camille Breuil, camille.breuil@uni-ak.ac.at

Thematic Description:

The global scale of destabilisation of environments and rhythms calls for an urgent transformation of our design strategies. With current material and energy hungry progress at a loss and curbing the downward spiral, biology is the only other model we have to shape an alternative future towards a more integrated world. Disruption of the climate and large-scale destruction of environments due to catastrophic events, and subsequent lack of economic and material resources call for a shift towards regenerative strategies that minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. The concept of circularity emerges as a respectful solution, offering a transformative and holistic approach. The role of architecture in addressing these challenges is essential not only for physical structures, but also in terms of fostering resilience and rebuilding communities.

The thematic collection Circular Strategies - Biodesign Perspectives for the Built Environment serves as a platform for presenting and discussing approaches as well as case studies in architecture, that explore learnings from biology and the integration of organisms in materials and structures for a circular approach to the design of the built environment. Living organisms are based on processes that rely on recurring patterns of flow of energy and matter, but are resilient and adaptable to a certain extent of change. Cultivation is the design of an environment of existence, growth and stability for other living systems. Adopting aliveness in architecture implies long-term strategies of design and care, by developing new patterns of circularity and living together. 

The collection allows for a multidisciplinary perspective on key themes, such as

• Artistic Approaches to Circular Biodesign for the Built Environment
• Scaling Up Circular Biodesign for the Built Environment
• Regenerative, Redundant and Resilient Architecture
• Living architecture: Bioreceptive, Bioresponsive, and Bioactive systems
• Care, Repair, Cultivation and Maintenance of Living Architecture
• Critical, Philosophical, and Ethical reflections in Circular Biodesign

Designing with biology, using biological solutions as role models and integrating organisms in living architecture allows for a multidisciplinary and multiscale approach to envision and realize a biohybrid future. The thematic collection calls for papers and pictorials presenting research projects, designs, prototypes, artistic perspectives and theoretical investigations to the topic.

Scope:

The scope of the thematic collection is to deliver insight and overview to current activities in the field of Circular Biodesign in Architecture. It aims at showcasing the latest understanding and examples in the field, in order to open up new areas of investigation and push the boundaries of our current understanding of living architecture.

 

Call for papers open: 1.7.2026

Deadline for submission: 31.01.2027