A Circular Economy: Building from Unbuilding

The construction industry operates within a fast-paced and highly intricate environment, where optimising time, efficiency, resources and money is crucial. Among this workflow the industry accounts for around 50% of waste that heads straight to landfill, much of it being plastic waste. There is a limited availability within New Zealand to formulate a successful workflow following an up-cycling approach which views these materials as more than just waste, and rather, an opportunity to design. This research advocates for up-cycling these materials into valuable resources and products, challenging the perception of waste and presenting a dual opportunity: sustainability and economic gain while providing a system of up-cycling.

The research offers practical solutions and a structured workflow for industry implementation, leveraging technologies like 3D printing to integrate sustainable practices seamlessly. The resulting high-value products can be used in fit-out stages or to revitalise urban areas, demonstrating the transformative potential of up-cycling in construction.