What’s Old

Is New Again:
Circumnavigating
the Circular Economy
 What’s Old Is New Again:
Circumnavigating the Implementing sustainable
Circular Economy development goals requires an
How can the beneficial recovery and reuse of materials earnest commitment from the
steer our industry’s resiliency efforts?
entire Architecture/Engineering/
Construction industry.
WHAT WE DID

We studied five Gensler offices that have

recently undergone a move and renovation,
or are currently in the process of designing
a new space, to assess process and see how
reused materials played a role. The goals
of this research are to bring awareness to
the circular economy and identify how the
industry can bolster and encourage reuse
processes within design work. We hope
that by understanding current industry
dynamics and salvage trends, we can develop
a framework and platform for the efficient
exchange of reusable materials.
Our research was conducted at Gensler
locations in San Francisco, Denver, London,
San Diego, and New York. We supplemented
our observations with literature analysis,
qualitative data from interviews, and case
studies to gain an overview of existing
circular reuse models in the United States
and the United Kingdom for furniture and
interior materials. After analyzing the current
client interest in the circular economy,
we tracked the waste stream of recycled GENSLER LONDON
materials and began to assess typical 37,670 sf, completed 2017
constraints on materials reuse.

90%
THE CONTEXT

A circular economy focuses on the renewal,

resilience, and repurposing of materials and of movable furniture,
extension. And nearly half of those programs Implementing comprehensive circular
parts. It represents a deliberate disruption
only recycle base materials, ultimately business models will have positive outcomes fixtures, and
to the “take, make, dispose” method of
linear industrial production. Although a
wasting more than 60 percent of reclaimed not only for the planet, but also for equipment was
relatively recent framework, Accenture
resources. This problem is especially individuals and wider global economies. reused
prevalent in the furniture/interior materials Recent estimates indicate that European
Strategy states that 94 percent of companies
sector. According to the Disposal-Facility- households could see an 11 percent increase
surveyed for a recent report practice circular
Based Characterization of Solid Waste in in disposable income by 2030 in a circular
strategies. However, 44 percent of those
California, construction and demolition economy. Other research projects a
companies identified recycling as their area
materials are estimated to account for $4.5 trillion profit for adopting circular
of concentration, and only 18 percent reuse
between 21.7 to 25.5 percent of the economy business models by 2030.
or refurbish end-of-life materials.
municipal waste stream. Additionally, the 3
While recycling is an important component million tons of discarded furniture from U.S.
of waste elimination, corporations must take businesses each year incurs disposal costs of
more comprehensive steps. Only a fraction over $100 million.
of the businesses focused on product life

2 Gensler Research Institute | What's Old is New Again: Circumnavigating the Circular Economy 3
 GENSLER NEW YORK GENSLER DENVER

120,000 sf, completed 2016 19,963 sf, completed 2015

68%
91% THE RESULTS
of waste was
of waste was Implementing the circular economy recycled and
in the architecture, engineering, and
recycled and construction industries contributes donated
donated to economically sustainable growth
and savings across multiple sectors.
Clients can see an average savings of 30 to
50 percent by purchasing recycled office
furniture. Simple reuse of an office desk can
reduce carbon footprint by 36 percent.
Office moves create a substantial amount
of waste that could be reduced or
avoided. By aggregating the total waste
and estimated carbon footprint metrics
estimates at each location we surveyed, we
can assume that each office move (based
on square footage) generates approximately
269.53 tons of waste and 1,462 metric tons
of carbon. This waste could be diminished if
we rethink methodologies, processes, and
project goals.
Waste streams are largely undefined.
The current reuse landscape is highly
localized. It requires time to understand and
coordinate where materials finish their life
spans. There is no simple answer to what
this process looks like, or how it is decided.
An accessible framework needs to be set
in place that clearly articulates the best
practices around how to properly reuse a
material, or discard a material to be reused.

CARBON IMPACT ECONOMIC IMPACT WASTE STREAM IMPACT

36 %
30-50 -3 mil %

Simple reuse of an office desk can cut its
carbon footprint by up to 36% from 292
to 187 kg CO2e.
Center for remanufacturing + reuse, 2012
Our clients can see an average savings of From U.S. business each year. Incurring
30-50% by purchasing recycled office furniture. disposal costs of -$100 million.
Herman Miller, 2017 EPA, 2015

4 Gensler Research Institute | What's Old is New Again: Circumnavigating the Circular Economy 5
 DESIGN IMPLICATIONS

Reuse strategies can be Development of reuse networks “We will consume three planets’
implemented at every phase of the will thrive on a local level through
design process. Designers can develop design, planning, removal, and worth of resources by 2050.
strategies for the reuse of existing furniture transportation structures. Through
within the design of clients’ new space; our internal and external interview process, The Circulars 2018 Yearbook: An Initiative of the Forum
identify and secure contracts for waste/reuse we identified numerous potential partners of Young Global Leaders
materials, and determine the success of the that are either already working in the reuse
design by tracking relative metrics. Activities and exchange realm, or have expressed
such as creating a spec sheet of existing interest in becoming a key player.
furniture in a space for designers to reuse;
Best practices involving reuse can be
exploring existing manufacturing/take-back
incorporated into the design process. Similar
programs that would benefit from unused GENSLER SAN DIEGO
to the ambiguity surrounding waste streams,
resources; and providing carbon savings 18,322 sf, completed in 2017
there is no formalized approach to reuse
calculations can encourage and support
during the design process. However, we
circular strategies.
can pose questions and guidelines in each
Partnerships are essential for
the circular economy to evolve
phase of the design process can help direct
stakeholders toward reused resources and
60% FF&E
and gain traction within the products. As we look to develop a more WHAT’S NEXT
reused
architecture, engineering and streamlined approach to material reuse, in the project
construction industries. To transform preparing our designers, consultants, Looking ahead, there are clear corporate
the design process into an increasingly reuse- and contractors with a standard set of incentives for bolstering and participating in
friendly, circular network, the industry will questions will help ensure the awareness and the short- and long-term circular economy.
need to develop policies, re-create processes, implementation of circular strategies. The model of the circular economy
and encourage reuse on internal and external encourages untapped revenue streams while
projects. enhancing enhancing the inherent worth of
the material or furnishing. We outline the
following four implementation models, while
acknowledging that each approach
has a variety of barriers and stakeholders:

CIRCULAR SUPPLY—provide renewable

GENSLER SAN FRANCISCO
input materials that replace single-life-cycle
54,284 sf, completed 2017 inputs.
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE—an external

60% FF&E company retains ownership of the product

and internalizes the benefits of circular
reused resource possession and care; similar to
a lease agreement.
in the project
PRODUCT LIFE EXTENSION—repair, tune, and
upgrade various product components to
extend the life of a material or furnishing.
RESOURCE RECOVERY—retrieve and recover
useful resources and/or energy from end-
of-life products that would otherwise be
destined for landfill.

Ultimately, more industry and consumer

research is needed to gauge interest in
circular thinking. Such future research could
analyze the current state of reuse in local
markets and further scrutinize concerns
and motivation.

6 Gensler Research Institute | What's Old is New Again: Circumnavigating the Circular Economy 7
 gensler.com/research

The Gensler Research Institute

The Gensler Research Institute is a collaborative

network of researchers focused on a common goal:
to generate new knowledge and develop a deeper
understanding of the connection between design,
business, and the human experience. Through a
combination of global and local research grants, and
external partnerships, we seek insights focused on
solving the world’s most pressing challenges. We are
committed to unlocking new solutions and strategies
that will define the future of design.

Research Team
Allie Trachsel, Gail Napell, Jane Christen, Jane Greenthal,
Marcus Hopper, Michael Saunders

Bibliography

Accenture. (2014). Circular Advantage: Innovative Business Models

and Technologies to Create Value in a World without Limits to Growth.
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Business-Models-Technologies-Value-Growth.pdf
Berry, M.A., and Rondinelli, D.A. (2017). Proactive Corporate
Environmental Management: A New Industrial Revolution. Academy
of Management. Retrieved from https://journals.aom.org/doi/
pdf/10.5465/ame.1998.650515
Bruvoll, A. (1998). Taxing virgin materials: An approach to waste
problems. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 22 (1-2), 15-29.
Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
S0921344997000402
Dietz, B.A. (2005). Life cycle assessment of office furniture products.
(Master’s thesis). Retrieved from http://css.umich.edu/sites/default/
files/css_doc/CSS05-08.pdf
Mithun Architects+Designers+Planners and Lady Bird Johnson
Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin. (2007).
Construction Carbon Calculator. Retrieved from http://
buildcarbonneutral.org/

Image Credits
Gareth Gardner (Cover, 1-2), Chris Leonard (Cover, 3), Nick Merrick
(Cover, 4), Rafael Gamo (Cover, 5), Ryan Gobuty (Cover, 6)

All images credited to Gensler unless otherwise noted.

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within this document is and shall remain the property of Gensler.
This document may not be reproduced without prior consent
from Gensler.
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8 Gensler Research Institute | Project Title Goes Here