Reusing components with Dr. Michaël Ghyoot

Podcast by the CEA lab

Rotor is a non-profit research and design practice based in Brussels. It was founded to better understand material flows in the economy, and foster reuse strategies. Its spin-off company Rotor DC specialises in the salvage and supply of reusable building components and furniture.

Arabelle de Saussure, the CEA lab Industry Liaison Officer and project manager of a major innovation project on circular construction within the Swiss industry, interviews Michaël Ghyoot, project manager at Rotor, about what is involved in reusing building materials: from carrying out reclamation audits to cleaning, preparing, storing, and actually reusing the components themselves. Michaël also describes how reuse requires a different way of thinking about construction projects – how conservation must be prioritised over demolition, and how skilled labour is needed throughout the whole process, from the demolition phase to the reuse of materials in a new project.