Books
The books showcased below include our own works, collaborative pieces with students and peers, and recommendations for further reading. Each book contributes to the dialogue on reuse and circularity in architecture, engineering and construction.
The Art of Connecting
This book by Catherine De Wolf explores circular construction through the reuse of materials from ETH Zurich’s Huber Pavilions. It emphasizes the shift from a linear to a circular economy, highlighting transdisciplinary industry-academia-government collaboration and hands-on learning to drive innovative, positive societal and environmental impact.
STUDIO REUSE: a pavillon for reuse
This book, published by the Library of Reuse and edited by Barbara Buser, is a recapitulation of the Studio Reuse by Barbara Buser at ETH Zurich, bringing together the different topics the students worked on.
The Pedagogies of Re-Use
The International School of Re-Construction hosted a digital gathering of over 100 participants to address the climate crisis. This book documents eleven team projects, design proposals, and expert insights on deconstruction, reuse, and adaptation.
Architektur und Klimawandel
In this book, 20 architects and urbanists express their views on the future of building. The book brings together voices from Mexico and Kenya, Bangladesh and Switzerland. In the interviews, the experts discuss their own experiences with climate-friendly construction and the regional problems of rising CO2 levels. They describe pioneering projects and link them to personal aspirations and political ideals.
A Circular Built Environment in the Digital Age
This book, edited by Catherine De Wolf, Sultan Çetin and Nancy Bocken, dives into the transformative power of digital technologies to explore their potential to shift the building industry from a linear economy to a circular economy.
Reuse in Construction
From specific case studies to an assessment of the current situation: a comprehensive guide to the reuse of entire building elements.
Upcycling
Upcycling presents new approaches and the potential of recycling, upcycling and reuse in architecture. This book not only depicts contemporary examples of reuse in construction but also illustrates recycled, upcycled or reused materials and components in historical buildings that exhibit a great variety of knowledge and styles.
Reuse of interlocking concrete blocks
This book, published by the Library of Reuse and edited by Barbara Buser, is a student study by Félix Dillmann, Sophie Nussbaumer, Lina von Waldkirch, and Oliver Zbinden on the sustainable repurposing of concrete blocks in construction.
SOLUTION circular buildings
What if we build our new houses by reusing and upcycling materials from existing buildings bound for demolition? What if what we now call waste were treated as a valuable resource? And what if architects and designers prioritised making beautiful designs with materials and structures already in use?
