In this podcast episode, hosts Sabira Lakhani and Garr Punnett speak with Avi, editor-in-chief of Metropolis Magazine, about circular economy principles in architecture and design. Avi discusses Metropolis's longstanding commitment to sustainability, dating back to the 1980s, and highlights their recent initiative, "Seven Proposals for a Circular Built Environment." He emphasizes that circular economy isn't a new concept but a modern framing of long-standing environmental ideas.
The discussion covers several key points:
Metropolis's History with Sustainability: Avi explains how Metropolis has been covering environmental issues since the early 90s, including pioneering research on carbon emissions in architecture and interior design.
Seven Proposals for a Circular Built Environment: Avi details how Metropolis gathered over 60 industry experts to collaboratively develop proposals addressing circularity at multiple scales—from questioning ownership models to challenging the culture of newness.
Adaptive vs. Adaptable Reuse: Avi emphasizes the importance of moving beyond adaptive reuse (simply preserving buildings) toward adaptable reuse, meaning designing structures that are inherently flexible and able to transform over time.
Recycling vs. Reuse: The conversation highlights that reusing structural steel significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to recycling—even when recycling uses renewable energy.
Changing Mindsets: Avi stresses the need for designers and architects to shift from viewing sustainability as a problem-solving exercise toward embracing it as a creative opportunity informed by intuition and cultural sensitivity.
The conversation concludes with Avi emphasizing that true circularity requires creative intuition rather than solely technical solutions, urging industry professionals to think long-term about sustainability.
Metropolis Magazine: Digital publication focused on architecture and interior design.
Seven Proposals for a Circular Built Environment: Recent initiative by Metropolis exploring circular economy principles.
Climate Toolkit for Interior Design (2021): Resource created by Metropolis to help interior designers understand carbon emissions related to their work.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation & Arup's Circular Buildings Toolkit: Comprehensive resource informing Metropolis's proposals.
Victor Papanek's concept of Kleenex Culture: Critique of consumerist culture discussed by Avi.
Steelcase & HumanScale Pilot Programs: Initiatives exploring furniture refurbishment and reuse within circular economy frameworks.
Metropolis Magazine
Seven Proposals for a Circular Built Environment (Metropolis)
Climate Toolkit for Interior Design (Metropolis, 2021)
Ellen MacArthur Foundation & Arup's Circular Buildings Toolkit
Victor Papanek's critique of consumerist culture ("Kleenex culture")
AquaFill's chemical recycling of nylon carpets
3Form's surfaces using non-mechanical recycling
Steelcase pilot program on furniture refurbishment
HumanScale's furniture refurbishment and resale pilot program
References Discussed in the EpisodeReferences Discussed in the Episode
