Abstract
Since this is a beginning of a new holistic approach, one of the most difficult issues is preparation of a circular designer's brief, which will be helpful at all phases of design, construction, maintenance, end of building's life, and various types of material loops. Currently there is no single approach. Basically, it exists more as a general attitude statement and still has to be developed. This chapter will include some thoughts and possibilities as to the design approach and management that can be used for various different projects. Some design outcomes from studios run by the author jointly with members of Faculty of Architecture staff are included. These deal with some circular solutions proposed to the students for further development. Two case studies presented in the appendices will prove that circular approach should be used in various harsh environments, as well as city conditions.
TopTemporary Designer’S Circular Workshop
As already mentioned the approach towards our contemporary civilisation development is based on abundance not on hindered access to resources. Emerging circular economy appears to be more sustainable than the existing linear economy as it is based on regional resources and uses less water and preserves embodied energy (Baker-Brown, 2017). This particular line of development concentrates on the management and reuse of existing capital in a loop fashion where the life of products and their components are extended, resource consumption is reduced, and waste is considered a new input material for manufacturing processes.
In some countries the designers are already changing their attitude. For example, to support architectural firms, the Royal Institute of Dutch Architects (BNA, 2018) has written the Manifesto Circular Architecture together with its members Royal Institute. Document contains five design principles that might seem quite obvious, but stimulate a different path to design through offering tools for both the design itself and for the necessary discussions with all stakeholders. Their contents is shown below:
- 1.
A circular business model is the starting point for circular architecture.
- 2.
Nature is a source of inspiration and a textbook example of circularity.
- 3.
A structure is adaptable and flexible throughout its life.
- 4.
A building including its components is easy to (dis)assemble and construct.
- 5.
The building materials are of high quality, non-toxic and easily reusable.
In fact, this Manifesto confirms the main paths of changing attitude which have been discussed in this book so far.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Autodesk Revit: Intelligent model-based process used to plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure. Revit supports a multidiscipline collaborative design process, is often used as one of support open programs in BIM environment.