Circular Architecture Now - by Sibylle Kramer (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Cradle to Cradle (C2C)

Architecture is at a turning point. For too long, the construction has operated on a linear logic: resources are extracted, processed, used and ultimately discarded. Buildings often mark the final stage of this process; they are material dead ends in a system without a reverse function. But what if architecture were to become a beginning rather than an endpoint? What if every detail were conceived from the outset as a future resource, part of a cycle that keeps materials in circulation and preserves their value? Circular construction embodies this exact shift in perspective.

Rather than being a rigid set of rules, it is an attitude and a planning approach that seeks to slow, close and reorganise material flows. The projects assembled in this book present diverse strategies, from reuse and retrofitting to modular systems and innovative recycled materials, all united by their tangible contribution to conserving resources and extending life cycles. Circular Architecture Now showcases built examples and strategies of architecture in transition. Buildings are not viewed as final products, but as temporary configurations of valuable resources within an ongoing cycle.

About the Author

After completing her degree in architecture, Sibylle Kramer worked for gmp von Gerkan, Marg and Partners in various roles, including Chief Representative in Beijing. In 2001, she established her successful architecture practice in Hamburg, which has received various awards and competition prizes. The architect is also a frequent participant on selection committees for architectural competitions.