Trophica has its roots in sustenance, nourishment, and energetic flow. It comes from the Greek word trophe (τροφή), meaning nutrition, which also gives its name to "trophic networks": the massive and interconnected relationships among organisms that sustain life on Earth.

Within the complexity of the networks that exchange energy and matter to support ecosystems lie the answers to contemporary global challenges.

Why did we create Trophica Lab?

We dream of sustainable and just urban futures for humans and non-humans alike. We believe that solutions for this changing world will flourish from the bottom up, through networks and collective action.
We understand contemporary socio-environmental challenges as interconnected issues, and therefore, we are convinced that systemic design is necessary to address a changing world.

What is Trophica Lab?

We are an interdisciplinary network of research and action working toward socio-ecological justice in cities.

How do we work?

Trophica Lab brings together biology, architecture, anthropology, geography, and engineering to design systemic solutions to complex problems.

- Symbiotic Design: Our method blends systemic design and participatory design to produce strategies that incorporate Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that resonate with the communities that inhabit them. We co-create the symbiotic city (Stuiver, 2020) with its inhabitants and caretakers.

- Transdisciplinary and Intersectoral Networks: We strengthen local networks of initiatives for civic and public action in caring for urban biodiversity.

- Research and Communication: We map, monitor, and communicate socio-ecological justice with a focus on democratizing science and knowledge.

TrophicaLab

Org chart

Teams

Offices