Experiments – Terragon Nature Lab

Terragon Nature Lab functions as a living laboratory where universities, researchers, and independent practitioners explore regenerative living through real-world experimentation. Experiments at Terragon are grounded in practice and unfold on site, engaging directly with land, materials, and social systems across disciplines such as ecology, design, education, and technology.

Rather than fixed projects, experiments begin with questions and develop over time through observation, testing, reflection, and iteration. Some run for weeks, others for longer periods, allowing learning to emerge gradually under real conditions within a locally designated Regenerative Development Zone of approximately 90 hectares, including the 6.6-hectare urban farming estate Stadslandgoed 937.

EXPERIMENTS AT TERRAGON

Terragon Nature Lab functions as a living laboratory where universities, researchers, and independent practitioners explore regenerative living through real-world experimentation. Experiments at Terragon are grounded in practice and unfold on site, engaging directly with land, materials, social systems, and everyday use.

Rather than fixed projects, experiments begin with questions and develop over time through observation, testing, reflection, and iteration. Some experiments run for weeks, others for longer periods, and may be undertaken by individuals or groups, allowing learning to emerge gradually in response to real conditions.

HOW EXPERIMENTS WORK

Experiments at Terragon are developed through mentorship, collaboration, and hands-on engagement. Participants work closely with the Terragon team and, where relevant, academic partners to shape their inquiry and translate ideas into practice.

Experiments are:

rooted in real contexts rather than abstract models
iterative and adaptive by design
supported through mentorship and peer exchange
documented and reflected upon over time

This approach supports both academic inquiry and personal research trajectories, while remaining accessible and practice-oriented.

AREAS OF EXPLORATION

Current and evolving experiments include themes such as:

Urban Forest development as a living ecosystem and learning environment
regenerative food systems and soil practices
circular use of materials and resources
nature-inclusive learning and teaching environments
collaborative and post-growth forms of organisation

These areas serve as starting points rather than limitations, and are shaped by the questions participants bring.

MENTORSHIP & COLLABORATION

Terragon offers space for mentorship-based experimentation for students, researchers, and individuals working across disciplines. Experiments may be connected to university programmes, theses, independent research, or personal lines of inquiry.

Participants include university students, PhD candidates, researchers, artists, designers, builders, and practitioners seeking to test ideas in a real-world, land-based setting. Many experiments are linked to in-residence periods or longer-term collaborations.

GET INVOLVED

If you are part of a university, research programme, or working independently and are looking to develop an experiment grounded in regenerative practice, Terragon invites you to GET IN TOUCH. Together, we can explore how your questions might take shape through mentorship and experimentation on site.