Beyond reuse, conserving resources also means avoiding waste. This involves fundamentally rethinking how buildings are designed, used, and developed, particularly by making better and longer use of existing materials. There are nine levers that can be used to achieve this. Here are three of them. INSIGHT Avoid waste! Yes, but how? 2 1 EXTEND THE LIFESPAN OF BUILDINGS AS A KEY STRATEGY The longer a building lasts, the more the resources used in its construction can be amortized over time. Designing buildings that are robust, adaptable, and capable of evolving with their changing use helps to avoid premature demolition, which often results in massive losses of materials that are still functional. Structural flexibility, modular spaces, and the possibility of transformation are all solutions that contribute to this long-term durability. This approach transforms the building into an evolving asset, capable of adapting to economic, social, and regulatory changes without requiring complete reconstruction. It thus helps to conserve resources while securing the value of real estate investments. REDUCE PRESSURE ON RESOURCES FROM THE DESIGN STAGE Upstream choices largely determine the quantity of materials used, their useful life, and their capacity to be reused or recycled over time. The circular approach puts the emphasis on more efficient use of materials, avoiding systematic oversizing and favoring solutions adapted to actual uses. This approach reduces consumption of raw materials while maintaining the quality and durability of buildings. Designing with restraint does not mean building less well, but building more appropriately, maximizing the value provided by each resource used. By incorporating these principles from the planning stage onwards, the building becomes a tool for controlling material flows, capable of meeting functional needs while limiting the use of non-renewable resources. READ the full article in Constructing a Sustainable Future This summary is based on analyses from the Building Prosperity report, published in 2024 by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. 3 MAKE USE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS: CONSTRUCTION WITHOUT EXTRACTION The renovation and transformation of existing buildings is a central pillar in the conservation of non-renewable resources. By retaining existing structures, these operations avoid the extraction and processing of large quantities of new materials, while also limiting waste. Transformation of use, e.g. the conversion of offices into housing or the repurposing of obsolete assets, illustrates the potential of this approach. It makes it possible to meet new needs without land take or consuming additional resources on a large scale. This strategy is based on a vision of buildings as existing physical capital, whose value can be reactivated and increased. It promotes a more frugal approach to construction, while offering economic and social benefits, particularly in already dense urban areas. 117 116
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