Architects can design with salvaged materials to cut waste
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Daniel Norell of Chalmers University of Technology and Einar Rodhe of KTH Royal Institute of Technology studied how architects can shift their process to prioritize reusing building materials.
Traditionally, architects begin with a design concept and select materials later. These researchers suggest architects should start by assessing what existing materials are available for reuse, rather than beginning with an abstract idea. They developed a framework based on the concept of “gathering,” which means actively seeking and evaluating existing resources.
This approach differs from recycling, which breaks down materials into raw components, a process that requires significant energy. Instead, reuse involves incorporating materials directly into new designs without disassembly. Architects must consider both the aesthetic qualities and the availability of salvaged items, making material selection an integral part of the creative process.
The researchers tested their ideas with the Raamland project in Bruges, Belgium, where they built a park pavilion and furniture using materials collected from local reuse centers and markets. They found that the current market often undervalues materials with genuine reuse potential, sending them for recycling or disposal. Norell believes architects can address this by identifying new uses for materials and increasing their value through design.
However, the researchers note that widespread material reuse requires more than just new architectural practices. They call for improved infrastructure, collection points, storage facilities, and accessible material banks, to support a circular economy in construction. Current guidelines in the European Union aim for 70% recycling or reuse of construction materials, but less than 1% is actually reused, with much of the rest becoming low-value fill material.
