From “Less Harm” to “More Good” – Regenerative Design as a New Foundation for the Future
‘Doing Less Harm’ to ‘Doing Better’ - from ‘Less Bad’ to “More Good”
Against the backdrop of increasingly severe climate change, rapidly depleting natural resources, and ESG standards becoming an important benchmark for global investment, the design and architecture industry is facing a major turning point. According to Phương Đặng, Senior Design Manager at Kingsmen, the next 5–10 years will no longer be about “sustainable trends” as supplementary considerations, but about a fundamental shift in professional thinking: from designing to “minimize harm” toward Regenerative Design - an approach in which spaces actively generate positive impacts for people, the environment, and society.
Regenerative Design and a fundamental shift in professional thinking
Over the years, concepts such as Sustainable Design and Biophilic Design have become familiar terms in the architecture and interior design industry. However, according to Phương Đặng, many of these approaches still focus on being “less harmful” rather than asking a more fundamental question: can buildings give something back to the environment and the community?
Regenerative Design emerges as the next step forward. It does not reject sustainability, but rather expands the concept in a more positive direction. Instead of simply optimizing energy consumption or reducing emissions, regenerative design seeks to create spaces that can restore ecosystems, improve quality of life, and increase social value over time.
This shift reflects a deeper change in human awareness. As urbanization accelerates and technology and AI increasingly shape everyday life, people are simultaneously becoming more drawn to fundamental values: cultural identity, nature, and emotional balance. Design, therefore, is no longer simply a tool for expressing form, but a means of helping people “live better” in an increasingly volatile world.
People, identity, and empathy return to the center
One of the key pillars of regenerative design, according to Phương Đặng, is Human-Centric & Cultural Identity. In a world increasingly surrounded by mass-produced products and AI-generated imagery, the desire for spaces that carry personal character and local identity is stronger than ever.
Design in the coming years will no longer revolve around simply “keeping up with trends,” but will focus on understanding people at a deeper level - from biological rhythms and psychological states to daily habits and cultural contexts. Living spaces need to be personalized to support mental well-being, reduce stress, and create a sense of safety and peace for their users.
In this regard, Biophilic Design is no longer limited to bringing plants into a space, but becomes a comprehensive system of solutions: carefully considered natural lighting, prioritized natural ventilation, and the thoughtful selection of sounds and materials to create a pleasant sensory experience. Spaces no longer merely “display” nature, but allow people to genuinely live alongside it.
Alongside this is a renewed appreciation for cultural values and craftsmanship. Integrating traditional crafts, Eastern philosophies, or Confucian principles into contemporary spaces gives architecture greater depth and the ability to endure over time. According to Phương Đặng, these elements help projects avoid becoming outdated in the face of short-lived trends while creating a stronger connection between people and their living environments.
“Living” materials and a new approach to resources
Another important aspect of regenerative design is the emergence of “living” materials. As natural resources become increasingly depleted, continued dependence on reinforced concrete and energy-intensive materials is becoming unsustainable.
According to Phương Đặng, over the next 5–10 years, the architecture and interior design industries will see a significant shift toward renewable and environmentally friendly materials. Mycelium bricks, mass timber, and biodegradable materials can not only help reduce emissions, but also open up new possibilities for design.
Under this approach, interiors do more than meet aesthetic requirements; they also contribute to regulating the microclimate by controlling humidity, filtering air, and reducing thermal impact. More importantly, these materials are designed to return to nature at the end of their useful life, without leaving an environmental burden for future generations.
Resource depletion and the new logic of regenerative cities
Regenerative Design cannot be separated from the global context of diminishing resources. The linear economic model of “extract – produce – discard” has revealed its clear limitations as construction sand, metals, and clean water become increasingly scarce.
In response, regenerative thinking seeks to transform buildings and cities into closed-loop ecosystems, where materials are reused, regenerated, and kept in circulation for as long as possible. Buildings are no longer simply “points of consumption,” but become part of a broader resource cycle.
This is where a fundamental shift in the industry begins: from “Less bad” to “More good.” Rather than simply trying to reduce negative impacts, regenerative design actively creates positive value for the living environment, communities, and local economies.
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Regulatory and investment pressures, and the strategic role of design
Beyond environmental and social factors, regenerative design is also strongly influenced by changes in regulatory frameworks and investment flows. Carbon taxes are gradually becoming a reality in many countries, meaning that high-emission buildings will face increasing costs.
At the same time, global investors are increasingly prioritizing projects that meet ESG standards. In this context, regenerative design is not only an ethical choice, but also a smart business strategy. Projects capable of generating long-term value while reducing environmental and social risks will have a clear advantage in attracting investment.
According to Phương Đặng, this is the moment when the role of the designer needs to be redefined. Design professionals are no longer simply responsible for creating beautiful spaces; they need to participate in shaping sustainable development strategies for businesses and cities.
Phương Đặng currently serves as Senior Design Manager, with more than ten years of experience in the design industry. She joined Kingsmen in 2010 and has worked on numerous projects across Southeast Asia, gaining experience in combining global design standards with local requirements. Her expertise spans multiple sectors, including healthcare, F&B, retail, and office environments, where design is approached as a long-term solution for both people and the environment.
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