Design for Beyond is a critical response to the way we do circularity. In the text I present four design principles that incorporates our inherent knowledge of materials with the circular model. These design principles are called Design for Beyond, DfB. The “beyond” referring to the natural forces that will interact with our building components when we go beyond the human timescale and use.
By using modern tools and techniques along with our historical understanding of material properties we can manipulate stock and renewable materials into complex and well-performing structures without using composites or chemicals. When using basic materials, we can ensure their ability to break down as well as their ability to be transformed or disassembled.
In an ever-shifting world we can never be sure what the future brings, not even in the design of buildings. They must be designed to be destroyed in natural disasters and abandoned by its users, without requiring an intensive clean-up afterwards to avoid pollution. In Denmark this problem is apparent in the 450 mio. DKK we spent each year tearing down buildings and moving them to landfills.
All materials have aesthetics that can be uncovered by intensive design work, both in beauty and sublimity. Users care more for their structures if they are beautiful and this will in term make them live longer and become even more valued – turning into a positive feedback loop of care and awe for architecture.
To secure accessibility for future generations to resources, biodegradability/recycling must be the natural starting point for designing any material or component. The standards needed for creating materials which can justify toxic composites does not exist yet, and they never will. Design for disassembly must not be used as an excuse for creating toxic composites.