Regenerative pedagogies: ecology and circularity of timber at Mudchute City Farm

This case study examines the integration of regenerative pedagogy in undergraduate architectural education through annual timber structures workshops at Mudchute City Farm, London. Over a six-year period, second-year students learned regenerative design principles focused on climate change, local ecology, and adaptive timber reuse. The workshops incorporated hands-on activities like tree planting, timber harvesting, and reusing construction-grade wood, fostering circular and regenerative design skills. By engaging students in experimental, collaborative making, the programme addresses future architectural challenges, including reducing carbon emissions, increasing biodiversity, and adapting to fluctuations in global timber supply, preparing students for the evolving demands of the profession.