Material reuse in architecture

Abstract

This thesis outlines some of the major trends and historical influences of material reuse with particular respect to the building industry. The material reuse strategies of closed-loop recycling, cradle to cradle design, building deconstruction and design for deconstruction are described. The current state of material reuse in developed countries is assessed and future possibilities in industries and markets that these techniques may hold are proposed. The influence of these material reuse techniques on the creative design opportunities in architecture is discussed. It is argued that these reuse techniques do not limit or obstruct the creative design opportunities in architecture for most building designs. Of the very few situations where building designs that employ complex geometries are not able to be reused, a hierarchy of waste options, coupled with building technology is suggested to maintain the next best ecological solution of recycling.