[Music] this is mining in the Amazon rainforest
this is mining in the Amazon rainforest
this is mining in the Amazon rainforest so we’re mining bauxite to make
so we’re mining bauxite to make
so we’re mining bauxite to make aluminium which we use in huge
aluminium which we use in huge
aluminium which we use in huge quantities in our buildings and the
quantities in our buildings and the
quantities in our buildings and the demand for raw materials is going up and
demand for raw materials is going up and
demand for raw materials is going up and up and up the construction industry
up and up the construction industry
up and up the construction industry alone uses over 40% of raw materials and
alone uses over 40% of raw materials and
alone uses over 40% of raw materials and we’re doing is we’re damaging precious
we’re doing is we’re damaging precious
we’re doing is we’re damaging precious environments like this for every time
environments like this for every time
environments like this for every time that we do and build and we think about
that we do and build and we think about
that we do and build and we think about these things and then we put all our
these things and then we put all our
these things and then we put all our effort and our time and our resources
effort and our time and our resources
effort and our time and our resources into building all these amazing
into building all these amazing
into building all these amazing buildings but all too often they end up
buildings but all too often they end up
buildings but all too often they end up like this and sometimes within 30 years
like this and sometimes within 30 years
like this and sometimes within 30 years or even less we end up with a pile of
or even less we end up with a pile of
or even less we end up with a pile of rubble twisted metal plastics and glass
rubble twisted metal plastics and glass
rubble twisted metal plastics and glass all mixed in and what can we do with
all mixed in and what can we do with
all mixed in and what can we do with this we say that we recycle over 80% of
this we say that we recycle over 80% of
this we say that we recycle over 80% of the raw materials or sort the resources
the raw materials or sort the resources
the raw materials or sort the resources that we use here and the land the
that we use here and the land the
that we use here and the land the demolition waste but actually it’s
demolition waste but actually it’s
demolition waste but actually it’s mostly down cycled to a lower grade
mostly down cycled to a lower grade
mostly down cycled to a lower grade product or material so I went to visit
product or material so I went to visit
product or material so I went to visit where where they reprocess waste and
where where they reprocess waste and
where where they reprocess waste and it’s amazing it’s these huge buildings
it’s amazing it’s these huge buildings
it’s amazing it’s these huge buildings and they’re very noisy they’re smelly
and they’re very noisy they’re smelly
and they’re very noisy they’re smelly they’re dusty and it’s very very very
they’re dusty and it’s very very very
they’re dusty and it’s very very very simple and primitive and I thought it
simple and primitive and I thought it
simple and primitive and I thought it would all be mechanized and there’ll be
would all be mechanized and there’ll be
would all be mechanized and there’ll be lots of machines but actually there’s
lots of machines but actually there’s
lots of machines but actually there’s lots of people pulling out bits of
lots of people pulling out bits of
lots of people pulling out bits of plastic and metal and trying to sort it
plastic and metal and trying to sort it
plastic and metal and trying to sort it all out so it’s a very very simplified
all out so it’s a very very simplified
all out so it’s a very very simplified process and really we’re wasting all
process and really we’re wasting all
process and really we’re wasting all this stuff and we could be using it a
this stuff and we could be using it a
this stuff and we could be using it a lot better so it really made me think
lot better so it really made me think
lot better so it really made me think that that we’re really locked into this
that that we’re really locked into this
that that we’re really locked into this idea of digging some stuff out the
idea of digging some stuff out the
idea of digging some stuff out the ground we use it for a while and we
ground we use it for a while and we
ground we use it for a while and we throw it away
throw it away
throw it away we’re very much in this linear economy
and I thought and I looked it up and I
and I thought and I looked it up and I read about it I found out but there’s
read about it I found out but there’s
read about it I found out but there’s this great circular economy idea and I
this great circular economy idea and I
this great circular economy idea and I was inspired by cradle to cradle and
was inspired by cradle to cradle and
was inspired by cradle to cradle and lots of other ideas and lots of other
lots of other ideas and lots of other
lots of other ideas and lots of other TED Talks
TED Talks
TED Talks thinking I think we could do this and I
thinking I think we could do this and I
thinking I think we could do this and I try and apply it to the built
try and apply it to the built
try and apply it to the built environment so I’ve written a book and
environment so I’ve written a book and
environment so I’ve written a book and I’ve tried to capture some of these
I’ve tried to capture some of these
I’ve tried to capture some of these ideas and apply it to what we can do in
ideas and apply it to what we can do in
ideas and apply it to what we can do in buildings and keep it really simple
buildings and keep it really simple
buildings and keep it really simple so so basically how we do this we need
so so basically how we do this we need
so so basically how we do this we need to think about the circular economy as
to think about the circular economy as
to think about the circular economy as this idea where we we keep resources in
this idea where we we keep resources in
this idea where we we keep resources in motion and and we keep the value of
motion and and we keep the value of
motion and and we keep the value of those materials for as long as we can so
those materials for as long as we can so
those materials for as long as we can so that means for buildings that we need to
that means for buildings that we need to
that means for buildings that we need to retain refit refurbish but then for the
retain refit refurbish but then for the
retain refit refurbish but then for the components those buildings we also need
components those buildings we also need
components those buildings we also need to be able to reclaim those who re use
to be able to reclaim those who re use
to be able to reclaim those who re use and then for the the more complex
and then for the the more complex
and then for the the more complex components the lights the boilers we
components the lights the boilers we
components the lights the boilers we need to be able to remanufacture those
need to be able to remanufacture those
need to be able to remanufacture those rather than throwing them away and then
rather than throwing them away and then
rather than throwing them away and then lastly we need to look at how we might
lastly we need to look at how we might
lastly we need to look at how we might recycle the technical components on one
recycle the technical components on one
recycle the technical components on one cycle like metals and plastics that will
cycle like metals and plastics that will
cycle like metals and plastics that will go back to the manufacture be
go back to the manufacture be
go back to the manufacture be reprocessed and go back into our
reprocessed and go back into our
reprocessed and go back into our buildings and on the other cycle we
buildings and on the other cycle we
buildings and on the other cycle we would look at biological materials like
would look at biological materials like
would look at biological materials like the timber and the the fabric that would
the timber and the the fabric that would
the timber and the the fabric that would then be used in our buildings having
then be used in our buildings having
then be used in our buildings having been grown and then would go back to the
been grown and then would go back to the
been grown and then would go back to the biosphere to be composted and that would
biosphere to be composted and that would
biosphere to be composted and that would have to be not contaminated by any
have to be not contaminated by any
have to be not contaminated by any pollutants or other toxins in the
pollutants or other toxins in the
pollutants or other toxins in the process and then we can look a lots of
process and then we can look a lots of
process and then we can look a lots of design principles which I’ll go through
design principles which I’ll go through
design principles which I’ll go through in a second and then we’ll also look at
in a second and then we’ll also look at
in a second and then we’ll also look at circular economy business models new
circular economy business models new
circular economy business models new ways of thinking about how we might buy
ways of thinking about how we might buy
ways of thinking about how we might buy stuff or maybe not buy a tool and not
stuff or maybe not buy a tool and not
stuff or maybe not buy a tool and not consume it but maybe release it or
consume it but maybe release it or
consume it but maybe release it or borrow it and then we need to look at
borrow it and then we need to look at
borrow it and then we need to look at how we might turn waste not as something
how we might turn waste not as something
how we might turn waste not as something that we have to pay to get rid of but as
that we have to pay to get rid of but as
that we have to pay to get rid of but as a resource and the fundamental
a resource and the fundamental
a resource and the fundamental underlying principle of all this and how
underlying principle of all this and how
underlying principle of all this and how we think about buildings has to be
we think about buildings has to be
we think about buildings has to be looking at the different layers of the
looking at the different layers of the
looking at the different layers of the building and how we might treat each of
building and how we might treat each of
building and how we might treat each of those differently buildings are hugely
those differently buildings are hugely
those differently buildings are hugely complex things it’s not like a sim like
complex things it’s not like a sim like
complex things it’s not like a sim like a mobile phone or something where
a mobile phone or something where
a mobile phone or something where traditionally the circular economy has
traditionally the circular economy has
traditionally the circular economy has been looking at
been looking at
been looking at but it’s looking at something like the
but it’s looking at something like the
but it’s looking at something like the the structure and the foundation that
the structure and the foundation that
the structure and the foundation that might be there for 100 years so we need
might be there for 100 years so we need
might be there for 100 years so we need to make that long life loose fit
to make that long life loose fit
to make that long life loose fit adaptable whereas the interiors of the
adaptable whereas the interiors of the
adaptable whereas the interiors of the building might only be there for 2 or 3
building might only be there for 2 or 3
building might only be there for 2 or 3 years and if we don’t like the color of
years and if we don’t like the color of
years and if we don’t like the color of the carpet we might rip that out after 6
the carpet we might rip that out after 6
the carpet we might rip that out after 6 months so we need to think about how we
months so we need to think about how we
months so we need to think about how we make each of those layers independent
make each of those layers independent
make each of those layers independent and separable but also how we might
and separable but also how we might
and separable but also how we might design buildings so that actually though
design buildings so that actually though
design buildings so that actually though the structure might be there for a long
the structure might be there for a long
the structure might be there for a long period of time like in this example and
period of time like in this example and
period of time like in this example and and it’s got generous floor to ceiling
and it’s got generous floor to ceiling
and it’s got generous floor to ceiling heights and then it can be adapted to
heights and then it can be adapted to
heights and then it can be adapted to different uses and then the services are
different uses and then the services are
different uses and then the services are very accessible and easy to change
very accessible and easy to change
very accessible and easy to change because they have a short service life
because they have a short service life
because they have a short service life and then how you might flex and adapt
and then how you might flex and adapt
and then how you might flex and adapt the interior spaces using very modular
the interior spaces using very modular
the interior spaces using very modular construction that allows you to to meet
construction that allows you to to meet
construction that allows you to to meet the needs of the of your latest
the needs of the of your latest
the needs of the of your latest occupants in the building and then
occupants in the building and then
occupants in the building and then looking at design for adaptability lots
looking at design for adaptability lots
looking at design for adaptability lots and lots of design principles around
and lots of design principles around
and lots of design principles around that but there’s a lot to be learned
that but there’s a lot to be learned
that but there’s a lot to be learned from buildings that have been around for
from buildings that have been around for
from buildings that have been around for a very long period of time and up to now
a very long period of time and up to now
a very long period of time and up to now I’ve managed to dodge the wrecking ball
I’ve managed to dodge the wrecking ball
I’ve managed to dodge the wrecking ball and are not being demolished and some of
and are not being demolished and some of
and are not being demolished and some of those things you can really see is the
those things you can really see is the
those things you can really see is the quality of the architecture and the the
quality of the architecture and the the
quality of the architecture and the the great interior space is lots of space
great interior space is lots of space
great interior space is lots of space lots of generous floor ceiling hides
lots of generous floor ceiling hides
lots of generous floor ceiling hides great use of light and daylight but also
great use of light and daylight but also
great use of light and daylight but also how how they might be reused and how we
how how they might be reused and how we
how how they might be reused and how we might be able to put new things into
might be able to put new things into
might be able to put new things into them and what’s really interesting is a
them and what’s really interesting is a
them and what’s really interesting is a lot of these buildings have have been
lot of these buildings have have been
lot of these buildings have have been cherished and loved by the people in
cherished and loved by the people in
cherished and loved by the people in their communities and that’s one of the
their communities and that’s one of the
their communities and that’s one of the reasons why they’re still here with us
reasons why they’re still here with us
reasons why they’re still here with us today and then we can think about how we
today and then we can think about how we
today and then we can think about how we might design for deconstruction and that
might design for deconstruction and that
might design for deconstruction and that starts with assembly so how do we
starts with assembly so how do we
starts with assembly so how do we assemble the buildings out of a kit of
assemble the buildings out of a kit of
assemble the buildings out of a kit of parts speeding up the construction
parts speeding up the construction
parts speeding up the construction process and making buildings much more
process and making buildings much more
process and making buildings much more easy to to to deconstruct as well so
easy to to to deconstruct as well so
easy to to to deconstruct as well so this building is actually designed to be
this building is actually designed to be
this building is actually designed to be disassembled so the site is only
disassembled so the site is only
disassembled so the site is only available for four or five years it
available for four or five years it
available for four or five years it doesn’t use any foundations it’s got
doesn’t use any foundations it’s got
doesn’t use any foundations it’s got compacted ground and then it just builds
compacted ground and then it just builds
compacted ground and then it just builds pads on top and then a pin jointed frame
pads on top and then a pin jointed frame
pads on top and then a pin jointed frame that you can take it all to bits again
that you can take it all to bits again
that you can take it all to bits again and you can put it on to another site
and you can put it on to another site
and you can put it on to another site and it’s really this really interesting
and it’s really this really interesting
and it’s really this really interesting idea that not only does it make it easy
idea that not only does it make it easy
idea that not only does it make it easy to get the components back again but it
to get the components back again but it
to get the components back again but it also means that we can take away the
also means that we can take away the
also means that we can take away the idea that the value of a building is
idea that the value of a building is
idea that the value of a building is tied to the value of the site now we
tied to the value of the site now we
tied to the value of the site now we have a building that is an asset in its
have a building that is an asset in its
have a building that is an asset in its own right and it has that value so
own right and it has that value so
own right and it has that value so whoever owns that can take it apart keep
whoever owns that can take it apart keep
whoever owns that can take it apart keep it and then move it on to another site
it and then move it on to another site
it and then move it on to another site and we’re using this principle now with
and we’re using this principle now with
and we’re using this principle now with my organization to look at how we might
my organization to look at how we might
my organization to look at how we might give affordable homes for people that
give affordable homes for people that
give affordable homes for people that haven’t got a house and actually build
haven’t got a house and actually build
haven’t got a house and actually build these modular buildings that you can pop
these modular buildings that you can pop
these modular buildings that you can pop onto a site that’s only available for
onto a site that’s only available for
onto a site that’s only available for two or three years we call them
two or three years we call them
two or three years we call them meanwhile meanwhile sites and then and
meanwhile meanwhile sites and then and
meanwhile meanwhile sites and then and then you can move it to another site and
then you can move it to another site and
then you can move it to another site and it has four or five uses in it before it
it has four or five uses in it before it
it has four or five uses in it before it starts dance to deteriorate and then we
starts dance to deteriorate and then we
starts dance to deteriorate and then we need to think about those material flows
need to think about those material flows
need to think about those material flows and how we might use materials
and how we might use materials
and how we might use materials differently and procuring materials that
differently and procuring materials that
differently and procuring materials that actually don’t have lots of toxins and
actually don’t have lots of toxins and
actually don’t have lots of toxins and nasties in them that would pollute the
nasties in them that would pollute the
nasties in them that would pollute the interior environment so we can improve
interior environment so we can improve
interior environment so we can improve the air quality of the building straight
the air quality of the building straight
the air quality of the building straight away very important for health and
away very important for health and
away very important for health and well-being but also we make sure that we
well-being but also we make sure that we
well-being but also we make sure that we don’t damage the environment in the
don’t damage the environment in the
don’t damage the environment in the process and this building not only uses
process and this building not only uses
process and this building not only uses lots of timber for the structure and and
lots of timber for the structure and and
lots of timber for the structure and and for the fabric of the building but it
for the fabric of the building but it
for the fabric of the building but it also uses straw thatch on the facade
also uses straw thatch on the facade
also uses straw thatch on the facade there as as a cladding system and that
there as as a cladding system and that
there as as a cladding system and that that uses local people who as a local
that uses local people who as a local
that uses local people who as a local trade who can’t work in the winter
trade who can’t work in the winter
trade who can’t work in the winter because it’s all raining and they don’t
because it’s all raining and they don’t
because it’s all raining and they don’t want their rooms replaced so they thatch
want their rooms replaced so they thatch
want their rooms replaced so they thatch in the winter they put these modules on
in the winter they put these modules on
in the winter they put these modules on and it protects the building from the
and it protects the building from the
and it protects the building from the from the wind and the rain and it also
from the wind and the rain and it also
from the wind and the rain and it also acts as an extra insulating layer and of
acts as an extra insulating layer and of
acts as an extra insulating layer and of course you can return it to the
course you can return it to the
course you can return it to the biosphere at the end of life and it can
biosphere at the end of life and it can
biosphere at the end of life and it can be composted and then thinking about
be composted and then thinking about
be composted and then thinking about different business models well this
different business models well this
different business models well this building uses the lighting which is
building uses the lighting which is
building uses the lighting which is leased and rented directly from the
leased and rented directly from the
leased and rented directly from the manufacturer so the manufacturer
manufacturer so the manufacturer
manufacturer so the manufacturer installed it
installed it
installed it and paid for that they do the repair
and paid for that they do the repair
and paid for that they do the repair they do the maintenance and the upgrade
they do the maintenance and the upgrade
they do the maintenance and the upgrade and also they’re responsible for all the
and also they’re responsible for all the
and also they’re responsible for all the bits the end of life so you don’t have
bits the end of life so you don’t have
bits the end of life so you don’t have to pay for getting rid of and the waste
to pay for getting rid of and the waste
to pay for getting rid of and the waste that comes off at the end of it and
that comes off at the end of it and
that comes off at the end of it and they’ve also built in some ideas around
they’ve also built in some ideas around
they’ve also built in some ideas around energy efficiency so they’ve set energy
energy efficiency so they’ve set energy
energy efficiency so they’ve set energy efficiency targets directly for the
efficiency targets directly for the
efficiency targets directly for the manufacturer so it’s a whole different
manufacturer so it’s a whole different
manufacturer so it’s a whole different way of thinking about how we might fit
way of thinking about how we might fit
way of thinking about how we might fit out and and procure things and then
out and and procure things and then
out and and procure things and then lastly just worth mentioning the idea of
lastly just worth mentioning the idea of
lastly just worth mentioning the idea of how we might deal with the whole flow of
how we might deal with the whole flow of
how we might deal with the whole flow of materials and resources through our
materials and resources through our
materials and resources through our cities and through our buildings and how
cities and through our buildings and how
cities and through our buildings and how we might firstly give components and
we might firstly give components and
we might firstly give components and materials and identity so we need to
materials and identity so we need to
materials and identity so we need to list out what’s in them and that would
list out what’s in them and that would
list out what’s in them and that would be you can put those into things like
be you can put those into things like
be you can put those into things like materials passports and then you can put
materials passports and then you can put
materials passports and then you can put those things online as well so we can
those things online as well so we can
those things online as well so we can have online hubs that tell you what’s
have online hubs that tell you what’s
have online hubs that tell you what’s going to come up from this building it
going to come up from this building it
going to come up from this building it might be demolished in a year’s time and
might be demolished in a year’s time and
might be demolished in a year’s time and you can already have pre-sold those
you can already have pre-sold those
you can already have pre-sold those materials and those components you’ve
materials and those components you’ve
materials and those components you’ve created a market for all this all these
created a market for all this all these
created a market for all this all these resources that are coming out of your
resources that are coming out of your
resources that are coming out of your buildings and really what we’re doing is
buildings and really what we’re doing is
buildings and really what we’re doing is we’re turning buildings into materials
we’re turning buildings into materials
we’re turning buildings into materials banks that you can deposit some
banks that you can deposit some
banks that you can deposit some materials now and in the future you can
materials now and in the future you can
materials now and in the future you can take it out and you can withdrawal and
take it out and you can withdrawal and
take it out and you can withdrawal and use it again the whole idea this would
use it again the whole idea this would
use it again the whole idea this would be get away from this whole linear
be get away from this whole linear
be get away from this whole linear economy idea where we are subject to
economy idea where we are subject to
economy idea where we are subject to trying to find all these raw materials
trying to find all these raw materials
trying to find all these raw materials having to pay for the costs and the
having to pay for the costs and the
having to pay for the costs and the volatility of those materials and the
volatility of those materials and the
volatility of those materials and the supply risks that come with our global
supply risks that come with our global
supply risks that come with our global economy where we’re trying to procure
economy where we’re trying to procure
economy where we’re trying to procure materials from all over the world in
materials from all over the world in
materials from all over the world in often very dangerous places so what
often very dangerous places so what
often very dangerous places so what could this all mean if we put all this
could this all mean if we put all this
could this all mean if we put all this together well first of all we could have
together well first of all we could have
together well first of all we could have a building that could be assembled on
a building that could be assembled on
a building that could be assembled on site much more quickly
site much more quickly
site much more quickly therefore you save money and time you
therefore you save money and time you
therefore you save money and time you might end up with a more valuable asset
might end up with a more valuable asset
might end up with a more valuable asset because you’ve got a building that can
because you’ve got a building that can
because you’ve got a building that can flex and change to what the occupants
flex and change to what the occupants
flex and change to what the occupants want and the need at the time you also
want and the need at the time you also
want and the need at the time you also have better air quality in a better
have better air quality in a better
have better air quality in a better environment for people if you use
environment for people if you use
environment for people if you use particular if you use lots of biological
particular if you use lots of biological
particular if you use lots of biological materials and
materials and
materials and get rid of all the toxins and when you
get rid of all the toxins and when you
get rid of all the toxins and when you want to refit and refurbish their
want to refit and refurbish their
want to refit and refurbish their building the market changes let’s say no
building the market changes let’s say no
building the market changes let’s say no longer want an office but there’s lots
longer want an office but there’s lots
longer want an office but there’s lots of demand for hotels or residential
of demand for hotels or residential
of demand for hotels or residential you’ve actually designed that building
you’ve actually designed that building
you’ve actually designed that building to be adapted and changed so you’ve got
to be adapted and changed so you’ve got
to be adapted and changed so you’ve got that benefit and the saving so hopefully
that benefit and the saving so hopefully
that benefit and the saving so hopefully you have a longer life for the building
you have a longer life for the building
you have a longer life for the building and it doesn’t depreciate as quickly and
and it doesn’t depreciate as quickly and
and it doesn’t depreciate as quickly and then lastly and I like this
then lastly and I like this
then lastly and I like this is that actually at the end of life you
is that actually at the end of life you
is that actually at the end of life you get a positive residual value so your
get a positive residual value so your
get a positive residual value so your building still has value when you don’t
building still has value when you don’t
building still has value when you don’t want it anymore
want it anymore
want it anymore and a demolition contractor will pay you
and a demolition contractor will pay you
and a demolition contractor will pay you for the privilege of taking down your
for the privilege of taking down your
for the privilege of taking down your building and getting one materials back
building and getting one materials back
building and getting one materials back that was a nice idea at the end there so
that was a nice idea at the end there so
that was a nice idea at the end there so what we’re trying to get here is get two
what we’re trying to get here is get two
what we’re trying to get here is get two buildings that are better for the planet
buildings that are better for the planet
buildings that are better for the planet better for the people living in them
better for the people living in them
better for the people living in them they can have a higher value right
they can have a higher value right
they can have a higher value right through their life they should have low
through their life they should have low
through their life they should have low overall lower costs doing they’re doing
overall lower costs doing they’re doing
overall lower costs doing they’re doing the whole life of the building and
the whole life of the building and
the whole life of the building and really I think I just like to for you to
really I think I just like to for you to
really I think I just like to for you to think about if you’re designing a
think about if you’re designing a
think about if you’re designing a building or if you’re buying a building
building or if you’re buying a building
building or if you’re buying a building or if you’re procuring bit so if you’re
or if you’re procuring bit so if you’re
or if you’re procuring bit so if you’re procuring a carpet or light fitting is
procuring a carpet or light fitting is
procuring a carpet or light fitting is really to think about first where do
really to think about first where do
really to think about first where do those bits come from and what impact am
those bits come from and what impact am
those bits come from and what impact am I having in doing that is there a
I having in doing that is there a
I having in doing that is there a different way I could address the same
different way I could address the same
different way I could address the same needed or even need this but also think
needed or even need this but also think
needed or even need this but also think about what’s going to happen to that
about what’s going to happen to that
about what’s going to happen to that next what’s going to happen to that
next what’s going to happen to that
next what’s going to happen to that carpet that building can we think about
carpet that building can we think about
carpet that building can we think about the next life and the life after that
the next life and the life after that
the next life and the life after that and try and plan that in now and
and try and plan that in now and
and try and plan that in now and hopefully that will create star to
hopefully that will create star to
hopefully that will create star to create a more circular economy and what
create a more circular economy and what
create a more circular economy and what I’d love to do is to be able to leave a
I’d love to do is to be able to leave a
I’d love to do is to be able to leave a better stronger legacy for future
better stronger legacy for future
better stronger legacy for future generations thank you for your attention
generations thank you for your attention
generations thank you for your attention [Applause]
”
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