Re-Use in Construction

Re-Use in Construction - A Compendium of Circular Architecture. 

Circular architecture offers huge potential in saving increasingly scarce resources and avoiding harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and leads to a more sustainable and energy-saving construction process

Re-using entire parts and components of existing buildings in the construction of new structures has become highly topical in European architecture discourse. Re-using elements that could last for decades longer, rather than destroying them, offers huge potential in saving increasingly scarce resources. Moreover, it makes construction more climate-friendly through deep cuts in energy consumption and the emission of greenhouse gases. For millennia, disused buildings have been cannibalized for the construction of new ones. Yet, in today’s world, what is known as circular architecture raises a multitude of questions and challenges with regard to technology, safety, energy, and associated legal aspects.

This book is a unique compendium of circular architecture. Richly illustrated, it explores comprehensively through essays and illuminating conversations between experts all the questions and challenges that architects and engineers face with circular architecture designs. It is based on the case study of the K.118 project in Winterthur, Switzerland’s largest building to date that consists mainly of re-used parts. Since its outset in 2018, the K.118 project has been evaluated within the framework of an interdisciplinary research with regard to aspects of design and engineering, energy, economy, processes, and legal issues. This volume presents the results in striking visuals and concise texts.

 The Institute of Constructive Design, based in Winterthur as part of ZHAW School of Architecture, Design and Civil Engineering, is an interactive hub for teaching and research in building design and construction.

Eva Stricker is a Zurich-based architect and writer, who also works as a researcher at the Institute of Constructive Design, ZHAW School of Architecture, Design and Civil Engineering.

Guido Brandi is cofounder of Zurich- and Como-based architecture firm brandiguerra and a researcher at the Institute of Constructive Design, ZHAW School of Architecture, Design and Civil Engineering.

Andreas Sonderegger is a founding partner with pool Architekten in Zurich and codirector of the Institute of Constructive Design, ZHAW School of Architecture, Design and Civil Engineering. 

Baubüro in situ AG and its affiliate Zirkular GmbH, with offices in Basel and Zurich, are leading Swiss design and planning firms specializing in circular and sustainable architecture and construction processes.

 Marc Angst is an urban designer working as a re-use expert with Baubüro in situ and Zirkular GmbH in Zurich and Basel.

Barbara Buser is an architect and cofounder of Baubüro in situ in Basel and Zurich. She also teaches as a visiting lecturer at ETH Zürich's Department of Architecture. 

Michel Massmünster a Basel-based cultural anthropologist working at the interface of urban research, journalism, and sociocultural mediation.

Edited by Institute of Constructive Design; ZHAW School of Architecture, Design and Civil Engineering; Eva Stricker, Guido Brandi, Andreas Sonderegger; Baubüro in situ AG; Zirkular GmbH; Marc Angst, Barbara Buser, Michel Massmünster