Long Life, Low Energy

This exhibition demonstrates how the principles of the circular economy can help create more sustainable, net zero architecture for the future. RIBA’s Built for the Environment report shows that 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to buildings and construction, consuming about 50% of all raw materials worldwide in the process. In addition, over 50,000 buildings are demolished each year across the UK, many of which could have been repurposed.

The circular economy offers ways to reduce these unsustainable figures, seeking to eliminating waste by reusing buildings and their material components wherever possible.

Presented in three sections, with RIBA Collections material on show, the exhibition discusses the culture of demolition, presents recent examples of best practice retrofit and reuse, and gives a glimpse into the near future with research and ideas into a circular economy of architecture, where buildings would no longer be linear in terms of lifespan.