Nest city Lab, an urban lab for sustainability and regenerative habits
The Nest City Lab is an urban lab dedicated to regenerative practices. The space in the heart of the @22 innovative district of Barcelona offers a live version of the sustainability goals of the city. 1800 m2 of renovated old industrial building with an indoor edible forest at its core, shared spaces for sustainable activities as an urban aeroponic farm, a post-industrial kitchen with plant based organic and km 0 focus and a well being studio based on the reconnection with natural cycles.
Local
Spain
Barcelona
Mainly urban
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
No
No
Yes
2018-10-02
As a representative of an organisation
Name of the organisation(s): Apocapoc BCN Type of organisation: For-profit company First name of representative: Valerie Last name of representative: Aubert Pietri Gender: Female Nationality: France Function: Co-founder Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: C/ Àlaba, 100 Town: Barcelona Postal code: 08018 Country: Spain Direct Tel:+34 618 06 32 93 E-mail:apocapocbcn@gmail.com Website:https://www.apocapocbc.com
The Nest, created by Apocapoc BCN, is an innovative and immersive experience that is dedicated to the dissemination of sustainable habits. The project's goal is to improve people's well-being and respect the environment through urban nature reconnection, hands-on learning and community building.
At The Nest, the project believes that sustainable habits are about protecting our natural ecosystem, and also fostering values of respect and kindness towards ourselves and others. This holistic approach is supported by a variety of disciplines, including urban permaculture, ecological construction methods, local food production systems, circular and local maker economy, personal development practices, and collective habits that respect individual uniqueness and the planet.
The Nest is a unique "school of life" where questions and hypotheses are raised and answered through positive impact. Here, nature, life, and vitality are at the center of everything, and the project is dedicated to the regeneration of biodiversity in cities, the recovery of living soil, and the restoration of a balanced landscape and healthy urban lifestyle.
Through its hands-on approach, the project aims to help people relearn how to adapt to natural cycles and break away from the artificial and unsustainable world. The program is offered in continuous learning, day by day, within a community of practice. The project invites you to join it on this journey of discovery and growth and be a part of creating a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
Renaturalization
community of practice
sharing economy
regenerative habits
continuous learning
The Key objectives of the Nest City Lab unfold in a three-step process. First, defending and facilitating living ecosystems by “renaturalizing” an urban space through the eco rehabilitation of an old industrial building giving a priority to soil regeneration, biomass creation and efficiency in the use of natural and physical resources. The second goal is to generate a community of practice to unlearn unhealthy habits and learn regenerative ones. And finally, to use the power of artistic expression and imagination to generate new common narratives and storytelling in favor of the vitality of our ecosystems. This approach has cut the waste of natural resources and produced a regenerative environment that contributes to the wellbeing of the entire ecosystem. The initiative has achieved several sustainability milestones for the past 4 years such as:
Organizing learning expeditions to share the importance of putting nature and vitality at the center of any project with the example of the renaturalization of an industrial space.
Implementing a local food production system, with 40 aeroponic towers and 10 wicking beds, , which not only reduces the carbon footprint associated with transport but also promotes the consumption of healthy and locally-sourced food.
Obtaining LEED Platinum certification for the building, which is the highest level of certification for green buildings.
Offering plant-based organic local nutrition with daily menus to promote sustainable and healthy eating habits.
Facilitating educational workshops to teach about sustainable living and how to implement it on a daily basis
Holding open and charitable days for the community neighborhood to promote a sense of community and shared responsibility among participants.
Generating common new narratives of “connection” through artistic workshops and events.
The initiative is a living example of how sustainable practices and regenerative techniques can be integrated into an urban environment .
The key objectives of the initiative in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people are to create a stimulating and inspiring natural environment that promotes positive emotions and cultural benefits. This is achieved by incorporating biophilic design principles that follow the natural patterns that human beings are instinctively drawn to. One of the main elements of the initiative's aesthetic is the respect and enhancement of natural abundance and historical structures, in order to create a sense of connection to the past and present.
In addition to this, the initiative addresses multiple human needs as per Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs pyramid. The design addresses the basic physiological needs such as access to clean water, non-toxic surroundings, and natural light. The natural and diverse features promote a sense of security and well-being.
The initiative also addresses the need for belonging, by promoting a sense of community and shared responsibility. The design encourages the development of personal relationships, by creating spaces for socializing, interactions, and collaboration.
The initiative also addresses the need for self-actualization and personal growth. It promotes a learning community of practice, where people can grow and develop new skills and knowledge. It also addresses the need for autonomy and decentralized organization, with spaces and opportunities for personal expression and creativity.
Art pieces and collaborations with local artists add a cultural dimension and promote creativity and a sense of identity. These artworks create an emotional connection and an opportunity for new cultural references.
Overall, the project is exemplary in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience because it incorporates biophilic design principles, natural abundance, and historical elements to create a natural and built environment that addresses multiple human needs while promoting positive emotions and cultural benefits.
The key objectives of the initiative in terms of inclusion are to ensure accessibility and affordability for all, to foster a culture of decentralized action groups and to ensure in the core team a management based on holacracy. To achieve these objectives, the initiative has implemented several strategies and practices.
Firstly, accessibility has been addressed by designing spaces that are compliant with the accessibility guidelines and principles and by providing the same services and opportunities for users with disabilities.
Affordability has been addressed by creating a pricing model that is inclusive and accessible to all socioeconomic groups. A peculiar attention is maintained to avoid entering in a gentrification cycle. A flexible membership system is in place, which allows people to join on a pay-as-you-go basis or choose from different membership plans. Additionally, open free days are held, providing opportunities for people to visit and experience the initiative without any cost.
Spaces have been designed to facilitate decentralized and self-organized activities, where people from different age ranges, nationalities, and social profiles can come together and collaborate on shared interests and goals. The initiative also holds space for collaboration with local initiatives, which allows for a decentralized curation of activities and events, making it more inclusive for the community.
The initiative offers a safe and natural environment for citizens and NGos to reconnect with nature, with themselves, and with others through experimentation, meetings, and opportunities for participation on both individual and collective levels. Citizens and civil society are actively involved and have greatly impacted the project, making it a true community effort towards sustainability and connection with nature. Here below some examples :
Collaborating with universities and local collectives to develop prototypes, integrate new systems, and regreen the city. (Bau, Elisava)
Co-organizing the "48h of urban agriculture," a movement started in France that brings specialists and citizens together to bring nature back into cities and develop local, sustainable urban food systems.
Creating and organizing "labcuina," a culinary laboratory for chefs and foodies to experiment and innovate with organic, plant-based recipes and zero waste cooking.
Hosting "Good deed Saturdays," to contribute positive actions such as offering talents, initiatives, and workshops for free, as well as preparing soup for a local NGO “Esperança” supporting those experiencing homelessness.
Organizing weekly "Learning Lunches" and “culture jams” to share knowledge and experiences with members and external guests.
Hosting training and events on topics such as Green Living, permaculture, holacracy, zero-waste living and Biophilia.
Offering "Learning Expeditions," guided tours of the Nest, for universities, municipalities, and companies looking to improve their sustainability understanding (Elisava, IAAC, Escola Sert)
Hosting "Sustainable Kids Day" with workshops on permaculture, plant-based cooking, and more.
Facilitating monthly Climate Fresk in collaboration with an NGO to educate on the climate crisis from a scientific perspective.
The Nest is an independently funded project supported by Triodos Bank, a sustainable and ethical financial institution from the Netherlands. The path leading to the development of The Nest included various learning expeditions and interactions with European and local stakeholders to understand good practices, the needs of the territory, and opportunities for innovative systems. Students and departments of Universities of architecture, design, agricultural science, hydrology, sociology and anthropology were contacted to develop potential collaborative research.
In the private sector, companies specializing in wood construction, greenhouse building, insect farming, phytodepuration, water management, permaculture, hydroponic systems, and energy efficiency were engaged to find sustainable solutions for the construction and reforestation of urban spaces.
On the public level, different environmental agencies were met to understand their challenges and identify areas where innovation was needed.
Meetings with local NGos allowed a better understanding of the challenges of the neighborhood.
All of this pre-production work was essential in tailoring relevant solutions, testing prototypes, and assembling a diverse team of specialists for the implementation of the project.
The transversal and systemic approach of the Nest initiative required a rich and diverse connection to knowledge fields such as architecture, design, agricultural science, material science, hydrology, permaculture, wood construction, greenhouse systems, insect culture, phytodepuration systems, hydrology, hydroponic systems, energy efficiency systems, sociology of change, decentralized management systems. Representatives from these different fields interacted with each other throughout the design and implementation process, bringing their unique perspectives and expertise to the table. This collaboration allowed for a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to the project, resulting in a more comprehensive and effective solution.
For example, the involvement of experts in agricultural science and permaculture helped to ensure that the project's reforestation efforts were both sustainable and in line with the local ecosystem. The input of wood construction and greenhouse specialists ensured that the structures being built were both efficient and sustainable. The involvement of experts in phytodepuration systems and hydrology helped to design the water management system, and the energy efficiency systems helped to minimize the environmental impact. The input of sociologists of change helped to understand how to engage the local community, and the decentralized management systems were implemented to ensure that the project was adaptable to changes.
The added value of this process was that it allowed for a holistic and integrated approach to the project, resulting in a more comprehensive and effective solution. The combined knowledge and expertise of these different fields helped to identify and address all of the project's various components, from the design and construction of the structures to the reforestation efforts and water management. This collaboration resulted in a more sustainable, resilient, and community-centered project.
The project has made significant progress in its implementation and has demonstrated very positive results. The regeneration of natural ecosystems and the recovery of living soil has helped recover opportunities for biodiversity development, including the successful nesting of birds in an urban environment. The harvesting of rain rainwater, and systems of phytoepuration and infiltration allow on a daily basis to successfully return a precious resource to the natural cycles. Measurements of the air quality of the space have shown the absence of harmful chemical pollutants (CO2, VOCs, POPs) and physical contaminants (electromagnetism, static electricity, ionization). In general, the use of nature-based solutions and materials, the simulations of all senses thanks to the forest and the natural lighting have also generated a reconsideration of our relationship with nature from a life-centered perspective. The processes and products used in the project are capable of transmitting a sensation of being part of nature, providing a change of narratives. The increased demand to be part of this space with such experiential qualities is a clear sign of needs being met .
On a behavioral side, the recurring orders of daily plant-based options supporting a decrease in CO2 emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss on a global scale are clear signs that a change is possible and desired.
Thanks to this regenerative and inclusive project, it has also been possible to protect a building of important historical memory, which was threatened by the modification of the general urban plan of Barcelona. This has set a precedent for preserving other buildings and tractor projects in the city.
The benefits for communities in terms of quality of experience, such as preserving heritage, cultural tradition, and local needs, have been consistent. The project has also helped form strong links between members of the project, leading to new initiatives.
This initiative stands out in the urban context for giving a clear priority to “life” and vitality of healthy natural ecosystems in its decision-making process. Choices are not influenced by financial considerations, time constraints, or political pressure. This project aims to blur boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments, past and present, urban and natural environments, professional and personal spaces, and individual and collective wellness by designing spaces that reconnect all these elements. Key examples include:
The restoration of a natural ecosystem with an edible forest within the building, views to the sky through a transparent greenhouse, and a local food system that utilizes natural light. As a way to emphasize on nature reconnection, the forest is integrated into the heart of the building and consists of a variety of connected soil, plants, and trees. The forest is designed to mimic a natural ecosystem, with different layers of vegetation, such as canopy trees, understory trees, shrubs, and groundcover. The forest also allows to improve air quality, and provides a space for relaxation and rejuvenation. The connected soil, plants and trees help to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that can help to reduce the environmental footprint.
A methodology that prioritizes the use of existing natural renewable resources and built ones. All dismantled materials were sorted and prepared for reuse in the new design. This approach helped to conserve resources, reduce waste, and minimize the environmental impact of the project. Additionally, the preservation of the memory and history of the building happened by finding new functions for materials that would otherwise be discarded creating a lot of waste, an environmental burden and a loss of culture .
A process that values the rhythm of creative cycles involving chaos and order, trial and error, and a collaborative approach that disregards distinctions created by labels or authority figure
The methodologies of the project were inspired by Permaculture, One planet living and chaordic organization.
Permaculture as a philosophy and an approach allowing the design of sustainable human settlement, is based on three core ethics: care for the earth, care for people, and fair share and 12 principles: Observe and interact with nature, Catch and store energy, Obtain a yield, Apply self-regulation and accept feedback, Use and value renewable resources and services, Produce no waste, Design from patterns to details, Integrate rather than segregate, Use small and slow solutions, Use and value diversity, Use edges and value the marginal, Creatively use and respond to change.
“One planet living”, as a framework for sustainable living, follows 10 principles: Health and happiness by creating spaces that promote physical and mental well-being, and that are safe and healthy to live in, equity and local economy by building communities that are inclusive and provide opportunities for all, and that support local economies, culture and heritage by protecting and celebrating cultural heritage and biodiversity, land use and wildlife by managing land use in a way that promotes biodiversity and protects wildlife habitats, sustainable water, Zero carbon, sustainable transport, zero waste, materials by using sustainable and non-toxic materials, and reducing the environmental impact of construction, zero pollution.
A chaordic organization´s approach values collaboration, creativity, and diversity, and encourages experimentation and innovation. The goal of a chaordic organization is to balance the need for structure and stability with the need for creativity and adaptability. The main characteristics of a chaordic organization include a flat hierarchy, open communication, and a focus on creating value for all stakeholders, rather than just maximizing profits for shareholders.
A systemic approach for the transformation of a built physical space into a living system can be replicated to other places.
The systemic approach can be entered through existing methodologies offered by permaculture ethics and principles, one planet living principles or any other methodology understanding the importance of connection and interdependencies to create sustainable, resilient, and harmonious ecosystems.
The building and agro industries are among the biggest contributors to ecological and societal crises. They are responsible for CO2 emissions, deforestation and loss of biodiversity. The project offers a holistic approach to addressing these issues by promoting sustainable and regenerative practices in both sectors.
The project promotes the use of natural and locally-sourced materials, energy-efficient design, and a mix of passive solar heating and cooling and cross ventilation. By renovating a building in harmony with the local climate and ecosystem, the project can help reduce the environmental impact and also be a living example of the new possibilities of efficient buildings.
The project promotes regenerative agriculture practices such as urban permaculture. This practice contributes to systems resilience and also improves soil health, sequesters carbon, and restores biodiversity.The project also emphasizes on the importance of community engagement and local food systems, which can reduce dependence on industrial agriculture and decrease transportation-related emissions. By supporting local farmers and producers, the project can also boost the local economy and create jobs. The emphasis on zero waste plant-based nutrition allows for a more respectful and efficient approach.
