Abstract
This chapter focuses on the re-use of materials in the construction sector, reconsidering the wasteful practices of the recent past in the light of current supply problems triggered by climate-induced natural disasters, COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. While current regulatory and policy frameworks still hinder circular economy approaches to design and construction in the UK, there are now many impressive examples in Europe of a shift to reuse in contemporary architectural practice. In this more positive response to the climate emergency, buildings are treated as ‘material banks’ and redesigned for reuse into the future, in this way dramatically reducing their carbon footprints. Architects and their associated supply chain need to become ‘urban miners’ and to re-work/ re-use previously made buildings, components, and material sources.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Rethinking Waste through Design in a World that is Already Full |
| Editors | Robert Crocker |
| Publisher | Intellect |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 1 Feb 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Not yet publishedThis chapter was originally intended to be an explanation of why the re-use of material in an otherwise hugely wasteful and massive world-wide construction industry is such a big deal. Recent events referred to briefly below have rendered this clarification a little redundant.
Keywords
- Architectural design
- Construction Sector
- Reuse of Materials
- Resource Scarcity
- Urban Mining
- Resource Security