ThinkWoven develops design strategies to weave urban systems into ecosystems.

Regenerative or highly sustainable design typically aims for net positive or zero impact within the boundaries of a project site, without fully considering outsourced impacts or opportunities. A deep understanding of natural systems has led ThinkWoven to a different approach. A mature ecosystem is collaborative, diverse and resilient. It makes best use of daily inputs of solar energy and rainfall, and cycles energy, water and nutrients within its system boundaries. Every organism plays a unique role within the larger system, and needs to collaborate to thrive.

Cities can function similarly, and embody the vitality, diversity, density and resilience of natural ecosystems. Buildings can be designed to play a positive role within social and natural systems. ThinkWoven develops strategies so that the energy, water and materials used in the construction and operation of buildings has positive impact locally. A city can be designed to provide suitable conditions and habitat for wildlife as well as humans.

ThinkWoven works with entities of different scales, from project teams to city agencies, to create strategies and inspire designers to transform the built environment.

Each project begins with high level and on-the-ground research to understand systems holistically and identify problems to be solved as well as opportunities for positive change. We collaborate with diverse groups of stakeholders to create design strategies and a roadmap to achieve goals. We bring together metrics and vision, logic and intuition, macro and micro level understanding and leverage the creativity of every participant in a system. Our process and deliverables include collaborative workshops, inspirational lectures, illustrated guidelines, educational presentations and stakeholder engagement.

ThinkWoven is collaborating with ClosedLoops LLC and Foodprint Group to implement the Zero Waste Design Guidelines, setting up a nonprofit Center for Zero Waste Design. We are working with Building Product Ecosystems to create zero waste resources for companies to use as they develop new buildings, and as zero waste design consultants for district masterplans. We are also furthering dissemination of the Guidelines through education sessions at architects, engineers and developers offices, as well as a Zero Waste Challenge for firms working within the built environment, organized through the AIANY.