top of page

Bioplanning

Bioplanning Core Principles

01

Oneness

Design with life at the center. Oneness represents harmony, respect for all life, and the pursuit of environmental restoration. It focuses on preserving resources, reducing waste, and counteracting climate change through strategies like circular economy and clean energy.

02

Grounding

Connect everything to the earth’s natural energy. Grounding integrates nature into human development, harmonizing urban spaces with natural ecosystems using vegetation, earth-based materials, and biophilic design.

03

Flowing

Embrace natural cycles to create balance. Flowing optimizes resource flows inspired by natural systems, improving water, waste, and transportation management for resilient infrastructure.

04

Belonging

Be present. Be local. Be inclusive. Belonging fosters community, inclusivity, and local identity. It encourages face-to-face interactions and designs that respect cultural and geographic contexts, supporting local adaptation and sustainability.

05

Flourishing

Co-create as a community at every scale. Flourishing promotes collaboration and decentralization, empowering communities to innovate with equality, accessibility, and open access to growth opportunities.

Bioplanning in Practice using Cellular Typology

The first typology we propose is underpinned by cellular logic, an approach that has revealed unique benefits throughout its formulation. The cellular typology was developed under Supernature Labs and supported by research conducted in collaboration with Buro Happold. The report is available per request at info@bioplanninginstitute.org

From Cartesian

To Cellular

57% Building Area

43% Road Area

1% Natural Area

57% Building Area 

16% Road Area 

27% Natural Area

01

Design Neighborhoods As Cells

Plan neighborhoods with an organic, cellular grid to enhance natural integration. Preserve and enhance existing ecosystems, considering local ecology and climate. Increase communal and environmental spaces within Supercells for community programming. Modular units allow up to 80% roof area for private spaces.

02

Aggregate Cells, Not Buildings

Use cellular aggregation for sustainable, self-sufficient urban growth. Design modular, flexible neighborhoods that prioritize green infrastructure. Reduce road footprints and increase natural areas and micromobility. Supercells adapt to density and site needs, promoting walkability and resource efficiency.

03

Design Structure, Soil & Vegetation As One.

Integrate soil and vegetation into building structures for regenerative benefits. Utilize soil for insulation and vegetation for shade and oxygen. Design buildings to be net positive, generating more resources than they consume. Reuse outputs and create absorptive building envelopes to harness natural elements.

04

Design For Assembly & Disassembly

Optimize buildings for easy assembly, disassembly, and reuse. Use modular, lightweight systems inspired by biological strategies. Recycle materials at end of life and design foundations with minimal site impact. Supercells reduce construction time with modular methods and flexible layouts.

05

Preserve & Replenish The Land You Build On

Minimize urban development impact on ecosystems. Preserve natural features and replenish resources used in construction. Integrate neighborhoods with natural infrastructures and establish community stewardship programs. Ensure underground networks are preserved and replenished.

06

Connect To Nature & The Land You Live On

Create urban spaces that connect residents to nature. Minimize impervious surfaces and maximize natural groundscapes. Integrate soil and vegetation at all building levels and provide spaces for sensory experiences with nature. Design areas for disconnecting from urban life and reconnecting with nature.

07

Create More Efficient & Biophilic Circulation

Design safe and efficient urban circulation paths. Prioritize pedestrian and micromobility networks, minimizing large transportation infrastructure. Use nature to separate human and vehicular paths. Supercell grids reduce collision points and improve traffic flow.

08

Design Using Gradients

Implement smooth transitions in urban layouts, avoiding harsh contrasts. Use gradients in light, shadow, and sound to create seamless experiences. Design urban spaces with smooth density transitions and soft material gradients, reflecting natural processes.

09

Design for Circularity

Incorporate circular economy principles in urban design. Close resource loops for food, water, and energy, and use renewable materials. Recycle and reuse resources, and design systems for local material processing and waste management.

10

Plan With The Natural Flow Of Water

Create urban spaces that connect residents to nature. Minimize impervious surfaces and maximize natural groundscapes. Integrate soil and vegetation at all building levels and provide spaces for sensory experiences with nature. Design areas for disconnecting from urban life and reconnecting with nature.

11

Design With Local Flora & Fauna

Integrate local flora and fauna into urban spaces. Preserve native species and avoid invasive ones. Create green spaces that protect local habitats and ecosystem corridors. Promote ecosystem balance and diversity in urban planning.

12

Build With Bioconstruction Methods

Use sustainable, local materials in urban construction. Minimize non-renewable resources and maximize renewable ones. Integrate spaces for growing and processing materials locally. Employ innovative bio-based materials and consider 3D printing technologies.

13

Design For Local Climate

Adapt buildings to local climatic conditions. Optimize Supercell parameters for their environment, using historical and climate-specific strategies. Incorporate responsive building systems to enhance efficiency and comfort, tailoring designs to harness solar exposure and manage energy.

14

Design For Human Needs

Create neighborhoods that address human needs comprehensively. Promote interaction in natural environments, ensuring affordability and equity. Design for safety, accessibility, and walkability, maximizing outdoor communal space. Foster inclusivity and community planning.

15

Design For Community Prosperity & 

Wellbeing 

Elevate communities by promoting individual and collective identity. Celebrate local customs and traditions, encouraging cooperation and communication. Give residents a stake in their communities with new ownership models, enhancing equity and collaboration.

16

Grow Food Locally.

Integrate urban farming into city design. Use regenerative practices for hyper-local food production, combining public and private land use. Design systems for equitable food access and promote healthy diets and regenerative livelihoods. Include educational programs to embed local food culture in the community. Supercells incorporate productive landscapes in both ground and roofscapes.

Bioplanning is an urban design approach that integrates nature's patterns to create efficient, ecologically-based cities. It promotes land use optimization, reduced environmental impact, and minimal road infrastructure, advocating for urban environments that mimic natural ecosystems through life-centric principles, regenerative thinking, and biomimicry.

bottom of page