As climate disruptions intensify through extreme heat, flooding, wildfires, and water insecurity, conventional building strategies that focus only on operational energy use or carbon reduction are no longer sufficient. These approaches often overlook the broader challenges of ecological instability and occupant well-being. There is an urgent need for integrated design frameworks that enhance both human health and environmental resilience. This paper explores the role of biochar, a carbon-rich, porous material produced by pyrolyzing biomass, as a core enabler of Positive Building®. This regenerative design approach focuses on meeting five essential human needs: fresh air, clean water, renewable energy, local food, and mental well-being.

Historically, biochar has been used mainly as a soil additive in agriculture. However, emerging research suggests that its physical and chemical properties including lightweight structure, high porosity, long-term carbon stability, and moisture regulation, make it highly suitable for use in buildings and urban systems. Through an extensive review of scientific literature, critical analysis, informed judgment, and selected case studies, this paper evaluates how biochar can be integrated across architectural, infrastructural, and ecological systems to support Positive Building® practices. The goal is to demonstrate how biochar can strengthen climate resilience, provide environmental and occupant co-benefits, and contribute to a circular, regenerative economy.

This study is based on a comprehensive literature review and analysis of material science findings. Key applications considered include biochar-enhanced plasters and concrete, stormwater-absorbing green infrastructure, vertical aquaponics media, air filtration substrates, and water purification systems. Performance metrics such as thermal regulation, humidity buffering, volatile organic compound (VOC) removal, stormwater retention, and long-term carbon sequestration are drawn from peer-reviewed research conducted across different climate zones. Comparative life-cycle assessments from published sources are used to examine the environmental impact of biochar-based materials compared to conventional alternatives.

Key findings from the literature show that biochar-integrated solutions can offer substantial performance and ecological advantages:

• Increase stormwater retention by up to 50 percent in landscape and green infrastructure systems
• Enhance indoor air quality through passive VOC filtration and microbial biofiltration
• Improve soil productivity in rooftop gardens and aquaponics systems by 30 to 50 percent
• Reduce embodied carbon in construction materials while storing atmospheric carbon for centuries
• Improve thermal comfort in buildings by enhancing the heat capacity and moisture buffering of walls and surfaces

In addition to these technical benefits, biochar also contributes to climate adaptation strategies. In wildfire-prone regions, biochar improves soil moisture retention and reduces surface flammability, making it a useful component of defensible green zones. It also enables decentralized, low-energy water purification in areas with unreliable municipal services. These attributes position biochar as a uniquely adaptable material for buildings that must respond to compound climate threats.

Beyond its environmental and performance merits, biochar presents a compelling business opportunity. Its integration into Positive Building® systems supports a circular economy model that creates local economic value. Biochar can be produced from agricultural and forestry residues through small-scale pyrolysis, offering pathways for rural employment, clean technology development, and waste-to-resource innovation. Construction and landscape industries can incorporate biochar into their supply chains, while developers and building owners benefit from lower operating costs, enhanced building performance, and access to verified carbon credits. Biochar’s use in regenerative design also supports certification goals under Positive Building®, WELL, and LEED frameworks, making it attractive for high-performance and market-differentiated projects.

In conclusion, biochar is not merely a waste product or agricultural input. It is a regenerative material with transformative potential for the built environment. When applied through the Positive Building® framework, biochar becomes part of a systems-based approach that addresses climate mitigation, adaptation, resource conservation, and human well-being. This paper advocates for the wider adoption of biochar in building standards, resilience policy, and incentive programs to unlock its full potential as a catalyst for sustainable and regenerative urban development.