about

Frederic believes that the value of an economy should be centred around the wellbeing of its people and natural habitat, therefore, when it comes to economic growth, he see the legitimacy to evaluate the cost and benefit of growth under the current accounting system: what is growing, and at what cost? He challenges the prevailing economic growth model, recognizing its inherent unsustainability and detrimental impacts on both nations and the environment. Over the past seventy years, the relentless pursuit of growth has led to diminishing returns and increased reliance on borrowed funds, impoverishing nations and jeopardizing future generations.

Fundamental to a more sustainable economic model is a paradigm shift in accounting practices, one that acknowledges the intrinsic value of cultural and natural capital and incorporates it into decision-making processes at all levels. By promoting a holistic approach to valuation based on thermal dynamic laws, he seeks to elevate the importance of preserving and enhancing these assets for the benefit of present and future generations.

Frederic continues to explore the nuanced relationship between past and present, recognizing that we exist within an unbroken flow of time rather than in chronological isolation. This understanding fundamentally shapes our approach to sustainability and development.

He challenges both extremes: neither dismissing the past as obsolete nor uncritically venerating all historical practices. Instead, our research focuses on the thoughtful integration of heritage into contemporary life, examining how traditional knowledge and practices can meaningfully contribute to a sustainable tomorrow.

Frederic’s investigations encompass diverse aspects of cultural heritage, including:

• Traditional crafts and festivals that embody generational wisdom
• Vernacular agricultural practices that evolved in harmony with local ecosystems
• Indigenous architectural solutions that demonstrate sophisticated environmental adaptation

Rather than relegating traditional practices to static displays or artificial recreations, we study how to weave historical wisdom into the fabric of modern living. This approach demands particular intellectual humility, as we recognize that vernacular methods often embody complex knowledge systems that may not be fully captured by contemporary scientific parameters.

Frederic believes that cultural diversity and biodiversity are inextricably linked, each essential to the other’s survival. Our research explores how preserving and enhancing place identity serves as a cornerstone for maintaining both these vital forms of diversity.

We examine how distinct local identities contribute to the natural, cultural, and economic resilience of communities. This research challenges the homogenizing forces of global consumerism that have gradually eroded the unique character of places worldwide.

Our work reveals a fascinating paradox: while a place’s identity is deeply rooted in its local context, we often come to appreciate our home’s distinctive qualities through the fresh perspectives of our guests. This interplay between local and outside viewpoints enriches our understanding of place identity.

Importantly, we recognize that maintaining place identity is not about fossilizing communities or pursuing isolation. Rather, true resilience emerges through a place’s capacity for openness and adaptability while retaining its essential character. Like a healthy ecosystem, a resilient local identity evolves and adapts while maintaining its core attributes.

Our regeneration effort aims to:

• Strengthen their distinctive local characteristics while remaining open to positive change
• Build economic resilience through unique local assets and traditions
• Foster environmental stewardship rooted in local cultural values
• Cultivate cultural exchange that enriches rather than diminishes local identity

The profound disconnection between humans and land represents one of the most pressing sustainability challenges of our time. This detachment extends beyond urban environments into the heart of modern agriculture itself, where industrial farming practices often reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of land as a living system.

Our research examines how this severance manifests in factory farming and industrial agriculture – practices that demonstrate neither awareness of land’s intrinsic value nor respect for its ecological processes. At the same time, how can our built environment (architecture and urban planning) stay in concord with landscape. This is not merely an issue of the future; the consequences of land degradation and disconnection are already evident in diminished soil health, reduced biodiversity, and compromised ecosystem services, which all resulted in the distortion of our well-being.

We recognize that this crisis affects both current and future generations, challenging the very foundation of human wellbeing. There can be no sustainable tomorrow without addressing our relationship with land today. Through our research, we explore pathways to rebuild this essential connection through:

• Restoration projects that heal damaged landscapes while rebuilding human relationships with land
• Regenerative practices that enhance rather than extract from natural systems
• Educational initiatives that foster deep understanding of land’s living systems
• Documentation and promotion of traditional land stewardship practices
• Development of new models for land-conscious agriculture, architecture and urban planning.

Our work emphasizes that reconnecting with land is not simply about conservation or improved techniques – it requires a fundamental shift in how we perceive and interact with the living systems that sustain us.

Art possesses a unique power to transform how we see, understand, and reimagine our world. In our sustainability initiatives, artistic practice serves as both a lens and a bridge – helping communities discover new perspectives while fostering connections across cultural boundaries.

Through our artist residency programs, creative workshops, and integrated arts projects, we harness the transformative potential of artistic expression to:

• Enable local communities to rediscover the inherent beauty and significance of their place
• Capture and communicate the essential spirit of sustainability projects in ways that transcend traditional documentation
• Create meaningful dialogue and connection between people from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Inject hope and vitality into the process of sustainable development

Our research explores how artistic practice offers distinctive ways to observe, challenge, express, and share ideas about sustainability. Unlike conventional approaches, art engages both emotion and intellect, allowing for deeper understanding and more profound transformation.

We recognize that the creative process itself generates energy and optimism – vital ingredients for sustained community engagement in environmental and cultural preservation. Through art, abstract concepts become tangible, complex ideas become accessible, and shared visions for the future become possible.

Education stands as the cornerstone of sustainable development, for the quality of our future rests inevitably in the hands of those who will shape it. Our approach transcends traditional academic models by transforming our sustainability projects into living classrooms, where the next generation can engage with real-world challenges and solutions.

These experiential learning environments serve a deeper purpose beyond providing practical skills. They become spaces where students develop:

• Professional competence in their chosen fields
• Self-awareness and personal confidence
• Respect for diverse perspectives and traditions
• Cross-cultural understanding and communication skills

Our research and educational initiatives recognize that true education is fundamentally about building sustainable relationships – with others, with our heritage, with the natural world. This holistic approach prepares individuals not just to navigate the challenges of today, but to actively shape a more sustainable tomorrow.

By integrating students into real-world sustainability projects, we create opportunities for them to:

• Experience the practical applications of their theoretical knowledge
• Understand the complexities of sustainable development firsthand
• Develop the emotional intelligence needed for effective leadership
• Build meaningful connections across cultural and disciplinary boundaries
• Cultivate the wisdom needed for responsible stewardship