A@W Rotterdam 2026

For the 11th edition of ARCHITECT@WORK Rotterdam, everything revolves around regenerative architecture, an approach to design that goes beyond sustainability alone. While sustainable building focuses on limiting negative impact, regenerative design aims to actively contribute to the restoration and strengthening of ecosystems, communities and natural resources.
Regenerative architecture starts from a fundamentally different way of thinking: buildings are no longer seen as standalone objects, but as part of a larger system in which ecology, water, energy and social dynamics are interconnected. The goal? To create environments that deliver a net-positive impact for both people and nature.
Central to this theme are principles such as systems thinking, ecosystem restoration, the use of local and bio-based materials and the design of energy-positive buildings. Human experience also plays a crucial role, with attention to daylight, air quality and the relationship between people and nature.
Concrete applications of regenerative design are already visible today in, among others, green roofs and façades, water recovery systems, urban agriculture and circular construction methods. This approach demonstrates how architecture can evolve from being a burden to becoming a driver of restoration and innovation.
With this theme, ARCHITECT@WORK Rotterdam invites specifiers to think beyond conventional sustainability and to jointly build a future in which the built environment actively contributes to a better world.