How to embed Circular Design into your project,
and why it benefits your business.

 

Why do we need a Circular Design approach?​

​We know currently the world is extracting more from our planetary resources than is sustainable. The Linear Economy approach of Take - Make - Waste, dominant since the Industrial Revolution, has come at a cost to the health of our natural environment.

 

The built environment is a major contributor to waste and raw material use.

• 63% of waste comes from construction sites.

• Design, construction, maintenance and demolition of buildings currently consumes 50% of raw materials worldwide.

• Changing this approach is seen as a critical means to reducing embodied carbon and working towards net zero.

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What is Circular Design?

There is another way, the Circular Economy, used interchangeably with Circularity and Circular Design.

It's a system that aims to keep materials out of landfill, re-using them for as long as possible at the highest value. It's a closed loop system, what goes into the ground should only be biologically degradable. Materials such as plastics, metal and stone should remain in a state to be infinitely re-usable. Globally and locally we need to recover more materials and change the way we view and handle waste for good.

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The best way to do that is in the design stage, before any materials are extracted, let alone considered as waste.​​​​​ When we look at design through this lens, we start at the end of project or products life to consider what will happen to the furniture, fittings and finishes when they're tired, the business closes, relocates etc. Can we design out waste? What value will they have? Can they be re-used? How can we make that as easy as possible, and how can we minimise the resources needed for that to happen with choices we make today?​

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How can you approach Circular Design on your project?

Resource Efficiency

Considering​ how to design out waste, such as dimensioning to suit a sheet of material, and utilising complete batches of materials or made to order.

Use standardisation rather than bespoke components.

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Flexibility & Adaptive Design

Consider, can the item be utilised or adapted for use in the future? This might look like:

Integrating existing and materials fittings from a site into the design.

Choosing freestanding, modular units rather than built in that can be relocated.

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Impact

​Choosing low environmental impact new materials, bio-based and fully recyclable materials.

Consider the impact of micro-plastics, water use, transport and chemicals needed in the full lifecycle.

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Waste as a Resource

Recycling and up-cycling materials, using bi-products and off-cuts from manufacturing to create new products. This might look like:

Stone becoming chips in terrazzo finishes,

Wood offcuts into chipboards and MDF,

Plastic waste turned into a new tables and fabrics.

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Sourcing

Sourcing from existing stock - vintage, second-hand. Some examples we've implemented on projects include sideboards becoming waiter stations, and considering whether unique items can be used rather than a cookie cutter experience for hotel rooms.

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Design for Disassembly

Considering how materials can be separated at the end of their life. Often this entails using mechanical fixings rather than adhesives, sealants and coatings. Also look out for for products with Cradle to Cradle certifications.

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Products as a Service

Rental of items where the manufacturer remains responsible for the maintenance and repair. Infrequently used items could be shared, available on request to reduce the quantity needed.​

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Ultimately, when considering materials and products it's about being genuinely open-minded and interrogating where a material has come from; questioning and researching the entire process of production and delivery along with the durability, longevity and it's future life options.

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What are the benefits to businesses of Circular Design?

For our clients Circular Design thinking presents an exciting challenge to develop unique and diverse spaces their customers love. Creativity thrives with constraints, by embracing a circular approach to your project naturally storied spaces and experiences emerge. We know customers want to make sustainable, responsible choices when it comes to which businesses they support, but without getting bogged down in the detail. With a Circular Design approach to your fit out or refurbishment you're demonstrating you're a responsible, future focused business that values the balance of people and planet too.​

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If you’re keen to explore this for your commercial building project, we’d love to help you accomplish your goals and see a tangible impact on the success of your business. 

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WRITTEN BY CHLOE