1.Design for Disassembly
While designing a building, an Architect needs to take into account the after life of building components and materials. In a conventional construction, when a building is demolished the waste debris are sent to the landfill. To avoid this contribution towards the waste generation, a building is to be designed in such a way that it can be easily dismantled at the end of its life.
To achieve an easy disassembly, it is crucial to address the varying life spans of each layer of the building. For example, the structural layer of the building is likely to last for 50 to 60 years, however, the layer of services including the hvac ducts, elevators, etc has a life of 10 to 15 years. The design challenge is to ensure that each layer can be replaced independently without damaging the other layers.
To find out more on Design on Disassembly click on following links :
2. Systematic Planning for Deconstructing Dilapidated Structures
The ever increasing construction & demolition waste, demands for the designers to intervene in the process of deconstructing dilapidated / old structures. The planning shall include documentation of building materials and segregating them into the categories of reuse, recycle, redesign and remanufacture. Further, the materials can be sent to the concerned factories / plants for treatments. In this manner, Architects will be able to contribute towards reducing the construction waste going to the landfills and bringing a more circular approach in construction industry.
3. Salvaging Useful Items from Dilapidated Structures
Participating in planning demolition of buildings may not appeal to every designer, they can still contribute by just using the salvaged components in their new designs. Many a times, a reused element becomes a stellar feature of the contemporary design. Imagine a beautifully carved timber door salvaged from an old residence placed in a modern décor, it would definitely make a statement.
4. Usage of Products that are Manufactured from Waste Materials
There are various companies coming up with innovative products manufactured from waste materials. By using these kind of products, we protect the earth from being consumed and also help in reducing the waste that ends up in the landfill otherwise. As accountable designers, all we need to do is look for these kind of products and use it in our designs. It is a myth that the recycled products are the 2nd best.
Here are few products which are manufactured from waste materials and are as good or even better than the products manufactured from raw materials:
Substitute to Cement tiles : https://www.carboncraftdesign.com/carbontile
Substitute to Wood : https://www.indowud.com/applications/
5. Promoting Recycling Plants
Considering the scarcity of land across the globe, the urban planners have to very sensitively design the land use of the plots in the city. More the number of plots are allotted for recycling plants, lesser portion of waste shall be sent to landfill in return saving the lands from being used as dump yards. The infrastructure for recycling plants shall demand for an increased investment, however, looking at the bigger picture, it is going to save lot of money that is currently being spent on the transportation of waste to the landfills and treatments provided to the landfills.
Here is a video, explaining the concept of Deconstruct and its role in adopting circular economy in Architecture.
Please share your views in the comments section.
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