Emergent digital possibilities for design-led reuse within circular economy

Abstract

This paper discusses literature and practice-based case studies in transformative, design-led reuse using emerging technologies. The inability of recycling to manage the assortment and complexity of waste materials within Circular Economy (CE) demands more discrete, attentive and granular approaches to reuse of waste by design professionals. This paper explores emerging and established digital technologies of Building Information Management (BIM), 3D scanning and artificial intelligence (AI) for their capacity to ease and improve transformative, design-led reuse practices for interiors, furnishings, architecture and building. Practice-based research is used to communicate first-hand encounters with the possibilities, benefits and challenges of these digital techniques.