Designing Architecture For Reuse And Recycling

Abstract: The building industry has a negative effect on the environment by contributing greatly to the greenhouse effect, wastage and the depletion of materials. This project explores through the design of a house how architects can battle some of these problems and contribute to a more sustainable future. To accomplish that we should design for reuse and recycling to use our resources more effectively and reduce the negative impact on the environment. Therefore the project partly uses second-hand materials and is constructed with reusable components where suitable and when not materials that can at least be recycled. That way the resources used when building the project are not wasted. In addition to using the right materials the components are put together in ways so they can be easily assembled and taken apart to be reused, avoiding adhesives, nails, casting and other permanent connections. By leaving joints, connections and fasteners visible and accessible maintenance and deconstruction is made easier and faster. The design of the house features this as part of its charm and shows how designing for reuse and recycling can add to the architectural expression.