Despite efforts to reuse and recycle materials in the building industry, the vast majority of materials used is new, which does not contribute to a circular built environment. Additionally, the way we design influences the amount of waste produced by the building industry. This research aims to develop circular design principles for optimal reuse of building components during the design process. Main factors of availability, dimensions, aesthetics, technical performance, environmental impact and the costs influence the reuse potential. Through qualitative data analysis, including in-depth interviews with pioneering architects who apply reuse as building method, this study identifies design principles and strategies for implementation in the design phase. By starting the design with identifying the reused materials, early collaboration, designing for disassembly and adaptability, and allowing flexibility during the whole process, optimal reuse can contribute to circular building practices. ... Read more

This paper examines the causes of landslides and the resilient architectural strategies employed in three vernacular case studies from the Inca Empire, Sherpa communities in Nepal, and the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. It explores how their architecture integrated climate-responsive techniques, local materials, and structural systems to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes and landslides. The analysis highlights the significance of settlement layouts, passive design strategies, structural foundations, wall systems, and roofing methods that harmonize with the steep terrain and minimal environmental impacts, offering valuable insights for current sustainable and resilient design approaches for social housing in Bogota’s periphery in steep terrain. ... Read more

Climate change and rising sea levels pose significant challenges for coastal cities like Rotterdam. My graduation project, Living with Water, explores how architecture can contribute to water-resilient living environments while enriching the human experience of water. The project focuses on the Merwehaven, a transformation area outside the dike, which faces a high risk of flooding but also presents opportunities to strengthen Rotterdam’s connection with its harbour and water.
The central research question asks: “How can architecture accommodate rising sea levels, ensuring human experience and sustainability in the context of the harbour of Rotterdam?” By integrating floating and amphibious housing typologies, sustainable materials, and innovative construction techniques, the project proposes a residential building that strengthens its connection to water. Additional functions—such as community centres, exhibition spaces, and educational facilities—enhance the area’s social and cultural value.
The research consists of two key elements: exploring how architecture can influence human perception and emotional engagement with water and examining the technical possibilities of building with water. Through case study analysis and a multisensory design framework, the project highlights water’s impact on sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. The findings show that integrating water-sensitive design principles can enhance the resilience and livability of port cities.
This project contributes to the broader discourse on climate-adaptive architecture, offering a prototype that balances technical innovation with social and ecological awareness. It serves as a model for other coastal cities worldwide, demonstrating how water-resilient architecture can create sustainable, vibrant urban environments.
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This project explores the problems of a lack of housing in the Netherlands, the inevitable city expansion in the future and the current linearity of the construction and agriculture industries. It aims to tackle housing needs through self-building and to establish a more nurturing and participatory connection between users and their environment through a regenerative approach to architecture. The vernacular building practices of the Hallenhuis in Drenthe are translated into tangible knowledge regarding materials, connections and tools as to propose a technical framework for a self-build design. The study is guided by the main question: How can we translate the relationship of Vernacular Architecture in Drenthe with its landscape to applicable knowledge for regenerative self-building in the modern context? In three chapters, the socio-economic roles and tectonic relationship of the Hallenhuis farm with their landscape, the opportunities and implications of a future regenerative production of building materials and the applicability of vernacular practices to modern self-building are discussed. The paper presents data on the geographical, material, economic, social and technical layers of the Hallenhuis typology and its surroundings. The evident relation between a regenerative approach and self-build architecture is accompanied by the complexity of problems and opportunities regarding the implementation of a regenerative building material network. The conclusions indicate further research is desirable and could consist of comparative studies across regions, quantification of environmental impacts and expansion of the field scope to food production, Urbanism or Landscape Design. ... Read more

The graduation project, "STAHLstadl: Sustainable Transformation Alpine Hospitality & Landscape” focuses on creating a circular building that aligns with the traditions of the Alps while addressing contemporary environmental challenges. This project seeks to act as an example of a new form of sustainable tourism, while contributing to closing Austria's Circularity Gap. It emphasises the importance of allowing people to enjoy and learn about the unique qualities of the Alps without causing harm, instead giving back to nature through circular and sustainable strategies. The research investigates the application of circular building strategies within the context of Alpine Architecture and sustainable tourism. With the Alps as a historically rich laboratory for experimentation, this study positions the region as a testing ground for circular building methods. Austria’s Circularity Gap, particularly in the construction sector, reveals significant potential for integrating circular solutions to reduce material consumption, improve resource efficiency, and minimise environmental impact. Conducting a combination of literature study, case study analyses and forming strategic frameworks, this research identifies actionable approaches to close material loops, prioritising locally sourced, renewable, and reclaimed materials. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of aligning architectural practices with Austria’s sustainability goals while addressing challenges unique to Alpine environments, such as climate change, fragile ecosystems, and tourism pressures. The research contributes to the broader discourse on the circular economy by offering a regional lens that balances global sustainability objectives with local ecological and cultural contexts. The proposed strategies provide a foundation for architectural interventions that not only enhance the built environment but also promote sustainable tourism practices. This work emphasises the urgency of adopting circular principles as integral components of design processes to create resilient, future-oriented solutions in the Alps and beyond. ... Read more

This thesis explores the critical issue of global food insecurity and its impact on Doha, Qatar. The increasing unpredictability of climate change and the imposition of food export bans due to extreme weather events have heightened the urgency to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. This thesis delves into the impacts of climate change on food production and availability and the efforts to achieve food sustainability within urban areas. It discusses the challenges faced by Qatar, a country traditionally reliant on food imports due to its harsh desert environment and the shift towards self-sufficiency through innovative agricultural methods such as vertical farming. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing locally grown food; it looks at common vertical farm strategies and what are the best approaches to not only produce food in arid regions but to increase production yield and deploy automated vertical farms en masse in multiple areas simultaneously, inspiring a new era of sustainable food production. ... Read more