Peter Osborne

Peter’s research program develops new concepts for a functionally adaptive architecture that supports ecosystem resilience and adaptability. He asks how to design, retrofit, and adapt buildings as part of their natural ecological cycles. His architectural interest in these ecological cycles is a catalyst for architectural adaptation, a new focus on materials, and the decarbonization of the construction industry.

Currently, his research interest lies in understanding how wood construction approaches impact forest composition, natural disturbances, and climate change from the local to global scale.  This way, the carbon displaced from forests for buildings will continue to be replaced for years to come. He derives most of his insights about these relations through the trait-based plant-to-building approach called Forest-Building, field studies, and design-build work.