Circular economy and the built environment

Lesson one

Learning objectives:•To analyse circular economy buildings and communities, identifying Cradle to Cradle features and the benefits in relation to the circular economy•To analyse existing buildings and to identify pertinent issues of general buildings and communities

Starter: Materials recovery analysis

The lifecycle of a building

In groups, think of things for each heading that represent the flow of materials in a building’s lifetime.

E.g. Skin could include bricks as a material – but are there any more?

Number of times material and systems cycle through a building in a single lifetime

Learning objectives

By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

•Analyse buildings, by identifying circular economy elements and benefits •Analyse existing buildings and communities, by identifying the systems which are in place to create a circular economy

Starting points

What might a circular economy building do?

In small groups, can you think of anything that a circular economy inspired building would do that a conventional building wouldn’t?

Case study analysis

A building design is straightforward, a community system that works, however…

Case study analysis

Not every aspect of every case study uses features of a circular economy – be selective.

Case study 1: Flow House, USA

Brief overview•Inspired by Cradle to Cradle thinking•Designed for disassembly•Modular build

Case study 2: Un-modular House for Deconstruction, USA

Brief overview•Designed to be easily changed and adaptable to suit different uses, trends and fashion•Utilities including water and electricity can clip together as structure grows•Materials can be returned to material pools, without effort, or cascade to another use

Case study 3: Cradle to Cradle Home, USA

Brief overview•Generates 200% more energy than required using photovoltaic cells derived from spinach, with excess energy feeding into the grid•Reuse of black, grey and rain water so all waste equals food•Shape of structure increases wind speed for multiple purposes

Case study 4: Graft Smart Air House, Germany

Brief overview•Cradle to Cradle products are used within the home and leased from manufacturer •Passive certified building with heat exchange system•Integrated solar heat collectors, located in balcony uprights, heat water system for the building

Case study 5: Bornholm Park, Netherlands

Brief overview•The site will become a network of continuous loops where nutrients are cascaded and reused again and again•Open spaces support effective systems, encouraging biodiversity and the supply of both food and energy

Case study 6: Park 2020, Netherlands

Brief overview•Decentralised systems approach, meaning the site is an effective integrated and resilient system•Methane gas captured from sewage and used to generate electrical energy•Buildings positioned for optimum daylight in winter when energy demand is higher

Case study 7: Liuzhou City, China

Brief overview•Public transport within a 5-minute walk, anywhere in the city•Floating rooftop farms connected by bridges, means food need not travel far, plus it allows utilisation of space•Human waste broken down to extract methane gas for home cooking and natural fertilisers for farming e.g. phosphates

Case study 8: Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Brief overview•No cars are allowed in the city, transportation is provided by driverless electric cars•The city operates one large smart grid network system which is both resilient and effective•100% renewable energy is generated. Excess energy produced is fed into a super grid and used in other locations further afield

Circular economy

ReminderUse this diagram to identify the attributes of a circular economy building/environment.

Note: Not every aspect of every case study is necessarily a circular economy feature.

Linear economy

ReminderEqually, look out for hidden attributes of a linear economy.

Review activity

What’s your top 10?Come together in larger groups.What are your top-10 features for buildings within a circular economy?1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.

Homework

Due next lesson Create a mood/image board of architecture. Collect images, diagrams and photos that reflect or illustrate circular economy principles, also considering aesthetics.

Remember that form follows function.