Continuing the dialogue about regenerative design, BNIM and the Iowa State University (ISU) College of Design announced the BNIM Regenerative Design Challenge.

Open to faculty and/or staff of the College of Design, the Regenerative Design Challenge supports multidisciplinary research in sustainability and regenerative design, which is a systems-based design methodology that provides measurable, net positive impacts to humanity and the planet. 

BNIM’s founding principals played instrumental roles in the development of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the LEED rating system, and the Living Building Challenge. In 2010, BNIM completed the first Living Building and LEED Platinum facility in the world, the Omega Center for Sustainable Living in Rhinebeck, NY. The firm was recognized in 2011 with the AIA’s National Firm Award for its leadership in sustainable design. Throughout its history, the firm has continued to innovate and remain on the forefront of sustainable design. The Regenerative Design Challenge builds upon this foundation, compelling faculty and the next generation of designers to consider and measure the net positive impacts that the built environment can have on people, the economy, and the environment.

Members of BNIM’s Des Moines studio  have  longstanding relationships with the College of Design at ISU through teaching, serving on advisory councils, and leading research. Through the Regenerative Design Challenge, the firm hopes to amplify the impact ISU students and faculty will have across the globe.  

The request for proposals was released March 26, 2018.