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Waste not want not, Designing for Circularity (Unit Outline)

Concerns around the negative impacts directly attributable to the building sector globally intensify as population growth surges and natural material resources deplete. The building industry remains the largest global consumer of raw materials and is a major contributor to the negative environmental impact. As noted in various studies, the construction sector is accountable for approximately 40% of the world’s annual energy consumption, up to 39% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and 40% of the solid waste generated in many developed nations (Comstock et al. 2012; DNV GL, Sustainia, & United Nations Global Compact 2018; Global ABC, IEA, & UNEP 2019). To combat the rapid rate of environmental deterioration, a continuous effort to foster carbon literacy and direct architectural design and construction towards a more sustainable practice is imperative.

Contrasting to the current ‘take-make-waste’ linear economy, a circular economy (CE) is an economic system that aims to limit or eliminate waste by promoting a continual use of resources. CE has been defined by the Industrial Development Organization of the United Nations (UNIDO n.d) as ‘a new way of creating value, and ultimately prosperity, through extending product lifespan and relocating the waste from the end of the supply chain to the beginning - in effect, using resources more efficiently by using them more than once.’ In recent years, the concept of CE has gained increasing popularity and traction around the globe amongst economists, policymakers, businesses and researchers as an approach to the sustainable development of our society (Brennan, Tennant & Blomsma 2015; Geissdoerfer et al. 2017; Korhonen et al. 2017; Lieder & Rashid 2016 ).

In this studio, you will be introduced to the emerging circular economy concepts and design approaches for architecture and urban design. You will be asked to conduct research into the material flow in our local economy, identify challenges and opportunities, that cater for a circular future for the built environment and finally synthesize the research into a hypothetical architectural or urban design project.

Ballarat was chosen as it is close to home and I am passionate about completing a project in a more rural setting. Many sites and design opportunities were looked upon to complete the thesis project for studio D at Swinburne University Masters of Architecture and Urban Design. The site was chosen as it provides ample opportunity for sustainable development and use of circular economic resources from the district of Ballarat. The site is located along Remembrance Drive, Cardigan, West of Ballarat’s City Center, and was proposed as a ‘Resort’ in terms of its zoning and planning regulations. I aim to tackle this site under a Comprehensive Development Zone, and create a sustainable development for Ballarat.

Emissions across the City of Ballarat were estimated at 1.5 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent

The Current plans have failed and CO2 emissions are rising, Ballarat West needs a new vision of sustainable practices designed for equality, affordability and accessibility.

West Ballarat, is in crisis with industrial areas taking over(BWEZ) and residential being pushed further out from the main activity centers. The Comprehensive Development Zone(CDZ1) has failed and has not progressed since the 2004 plans. The area lacks housing diversity in terms of typology, availability and affordability; lacks transport options such as public transport, cycle and walking routes; and has excessive water management issues with flooding on site. Alongside this emissions across the City of Ballarat were estimated at 1.6million tonnes CO2e(2020). My thesis project will solve these issues and make west Ballarat foster accessibility, equality and sustainability creating short and long term solutions for the community and the 2026 Commonwealth Games Athletes. It presents opportunity to utilize the existing zones with ability to engage in community and adapt to changing conditions overtime.