Building Revolutions: Applying the Circular Economy to the Built Environment

‘Building Revolutions: Applying the Circular Economy to the Built Environment’ is now available.

The construction industry operates within a linear economy of make, use, dispose; regularly stripping out and tearing down buildings. Meanwhile, we construct new buildings from hard-won virgin materials. However, raw materials are becoming scarce. Plus, the demands for them are exploiting fragile ecosystems, even as the global demand for resources continues to rise.

Policymakers and organisations are beginning to look for a more regenerative, circular economy model. The construction industry demands over half the world’s extracted materials and generates around a third of the total waste in the EU, making it a prime candidate for applying the circular economy. Yet, there has been little focus on how construction industry professionals and their clients can contribute towards the movement.

Drawing on illustrative methods and examples, Building Revolutions explains how the principles of a circular economy can apply to the built environment, keeping resources in use and retaining their value. The book describes how we can reuse or salvage buildings and materials to extend their life. Plus, it proposes ways we can apply new business models to reduce capital and lifecycle costs, providing a positive architectural legacy for future generations.