Book review: Sustainable Housing in a Circular Economy
By Naomi Keena and Avi FriedmanThe next frontier for housing is one that looks to embedding housing as part of a circular economy. Is it possible, this book asks, to disrupt the “take, make, waste” model of producing housing to instead provide affordable, waste-free housing?
A circular economy approach is often associated with waste recovery: designing buildings so that their component parts can be disassembled and reused. But an equally important aim is to right-size buildings and keep them in use for as long as possible, through strategies including engaging in the sharing economy and planning for flexibility in the use of spaces. The book also explores the role of digitization and data standardization, such as in digital passports that track raw materials as they are used—and reused—over time.
This book is primarily intended as an academic text, but for architects interested in the topic, there are gems to be gleaned, especially in the global case studies. A particularly revealing graphic shows the exponential growth of construction material use in the United States over the past century—a mountain that dwarfs all other resources. A circular economy approach to housing is not just a luxury—but will be necessary to reverse the trend, and ensure a sustainable future.
As appeared in the June 2025 issue of Canadian Architect magazine
The post Book review: Sustainable Housing in a Circular Economy appeared first on Canadian Architect.
#book #review #sustainable #housing #circular
Book review: Sustainable Housing in a Circular Economy
By Naomi Keena and Avi FriedmanThe next frontier for housing is one that looks to embedding housing as part of a circular economy. Is it possible, this book asks, to disrupt the “take, make, waste” model of producing housing to instead provide affordable, waste-free housing?
A circular economy approach is often associated with waste recovery: designing buildings so that their component parts can be disassembled and reused. But an equally important aim is to right-size buildings and keep them in use for as long as possible, through strategies including engaging in the sharing economy and planning for flexibility in the use of spaces. The book also explores the role of digitization and data standardization, such as in digital passports that track raw materials as they are used—and reused—over time.
This book is primarily intended as an academic text, but for architects interested in the topic, there are gems to be gleaned, especially in the global case studies. A particularly revealing graphic shows the exponential growth of construction material use in the United States over the past century—a mountain that dwarfs all other resources. A circular economy approach to housing is not just a luxury—but will be necessary to reverse the trend, and ensure a sustainable future.
As appeared in the June 2025 issue of Canadian Architect magazine
The post Book review: Sustainable Housing in a Circular Economy appeared first on Canadian Architect.
#book #review #sustainable #housing #circular