Developing methodology · Pilot testing required
Assessing underground–surface urban systems as one spatial, ecological and social resource for climate-adaptive cities.
2023 / ORIGIN OF THE RESEARCH
Terrarchitecture emerged as a distinct authorial direction in 2023. In 2025, underground architecture became the foundation of Olga Right’s developing doctoral research on a multifunctional underground urban complex as a regenerative driver. The current result remains a conceptual methodology that requires pilot testing.
Cities face land scarcity, overheating, flood risk, fragmented mobility and growing demand for public space at the same time. Reading underground and surface layers together can redistribute functions, protect climate-sensitive programmes and release the ground for ecology and public life.
What is underground is usually invisible until infrastructure fails. Planning disciplines examine transport, utilities, buildings and landscape separately, while development measures the subsurface mainly through cost or additional floor area. The potential value returned to the surface is rarely assessed as one system.
THE PREMISE
The research focuses on a combined intervention: social and urban functions move into carefully selected underground or semi-underground volumes, while the surface returns ecological, climatic and civic value.
It includes the adaptive reuse of existing structures and new underground construction on vacant or revitalising territories. The current result is a conceptual architectural and urban-planning methodology intended for pilot testing, not a completed universal model.
01 / METHODOLOGY
A six-step sequence makes the hidden urban layer legible and comparable before an architectural response is selected.
Locate shortages of green and public space, overheating, flood risk, fragmented movement and degraded land.
Map existing underground structures, infrastructure, terrain and sites with capacity for new below-ground development.
Test how underground functions can release or strengthen the ground plane for public and ecological use.
Compare spatial, ecological and social performance through one transparent framework.
Identify where layered intervention can create the strongest combined value.
Translate assessment into adaptable architectural and urban-planning strategies.
02 / EVALUATION FIELD
Connectivity, access, urban continuity, programme and capacity for transformation.
Surface release, biodiversity, water, microclimate and reduced pressure on land.
Public value, inclusion, comfort, safety, adaptability and everyday usefulness.
03 / APPLICATION SCENARIOS
04 / CORE ARCHIVE
These records relate directly to Regenerative Layered Urbanism, underground–surface integration or the methodology behind it.
Doctoral research foundation · proposed pilot in Suzhou
Archive record · full file on requestEditable research presentation · conceptual methodology requiring pilot testing
Presentation file existsA Methodology for Identifying Spatial, Ecological and Social Resources · Session S1
Poster content and presentation file existInternational Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Science, Education, and Experimental Design’
CV record · material on requestInternational Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Science, Education, and Experimental Design’
CV record · material on request05 / WIDER CONTEXT
These materials extend the research field through regenerative design, AI, inclusion and architecture’s relationship with the earth.
Forum talk
Festival talk
Panel contribution
Article
Article
RESEARCH COLLABORATION / WORK WITH OLGA
For universities, cities, laboratories, developers and interdisciplinary teams working with climate adaptation, underground capacity and regenerative urban systems.
Adapt and test the methodology on a city, district, site or infrastructure condition.
A spatial, ecological and social assessment with a concise report and regenerative scenarios.
Co-authored programmes, grants, papers, conference contributions and cross-disciplinary studies.
A focused session that turns a complex urban question into criteria, hypotheses and an action framework.