Buildings are usually designed with an end in mind. Materials are fixed, systems are sealed, and when their use is over, they are demolished, leaving behind waste that is hard to recover.
Circular architecture pushes back against this. Instead of treating buildings as permanent objects, it sees them as assemblies of parts that can be taken apart, reused, and reconfigured over time. Structure, facade, interiors, and even connections are designed to come apart without damage, allowing materials to move from one project to the next. This shift begins at the design stage. Components are standardized, and materials are tracked. Some buildings are designed to return materials to manufacturers, while some are built using borrowed or reclaimed elements that never become waste.
What makes this approach interesting is how widely it applies, as it can shape large office buildings, temporary pavilions, or entire modular systems, all built with the idea that nothing is ever truly discarded.
This list brings together eight such projects that approach circularity in different ways.
1. K.118 — Winterthur, Switzerland
Designed by baubüro in situ.
K.118 transforms an industrial structure through adaptive reuse, keeping much of the original building intact while introducing new elements only where necessary. Instead of aiming for a clean or uniform finish, the design openly reveals how it is put together. The facade is assembled from reused components such as windows, panels, and structural pieces collected from different sources, forming a composition that reflects their varied origins.
What makes K.118 a clear example of circular architecture is how it treats materials as resources and not waste. Elements are reused in their existing form, without being heavily processed or disguised. This reduces the need for new materials and lowers the overall environmental impact. Inside, the existing structural systems are preserved wherever possible, and any new additions are designed to be reversible.
This allows the building to adapt over time, rather than requiring demolition or complete reconstruction. Differences in material, color, and texture remain visible, giving the building a distinct identity.
2. People’s Pavilion — Eindhoven, Netherlands
Designed by Bureau SLA in collaboration with Overtreders W.
Built for Dutch Design Week, the People’s Pavilion approaches circularity in a very direct way. Nothing in the building was owned, and nothing was meant to stay. The entire structure was assembled using borrowed materials. Components such as facade panels, beams, lighting, and even furniture were sourced from manufacturers and suppliers with the understanding that they would be returned after the event. This meant that every element had to remain intact and reusable.
Instead of permanent connections, the pavilion relied on dry assembly methods that allow parts to be easily taken apart. Panels were clipped, tied, or fastened in ways that avoid damage, making disassembly just as important as construction. Visually, the building was defined by its facade and colorful plastic panels. These were not custom-made elements but existing materials reused in a new configuration. The interior followed a similar approach, with exposed systems and simple detailing that prioritizes function.
Once the event ended, the pavilion was dismantled, and all materials were returned to their original suppliers. The building effectively disappeared without leaving waste behind.
3. Brummen Town Hall — Brummen, Netherlands
Designed by RAU Architects.
Brummen Town Hall is often cited as one of the early examples of circular architecture applied to a public building. Completed in 2013, the project was developed with the idea that the building is temporary, even though it functions as a permanent institution. Instead of being designed to last indefinitely in one form, it is conceived as a collection of materials that can be taken apart and reused in the future.
This approach influences every part of the design. The structure is assembled using dry connections, making it possible to dismantle components without damage. Materials are selected based on their ability to be reused or returned to suppliers, rather than discarded.
Inside, the layout is flexible and open as workspaces can be reconfigured easily, allowing the building to adapt to changing needs. Systems such as partitions, ceilings, and services are designed as independent layers so they can be updated or replaced without affecting the entire structure. Brummen Town Hall serves a stable function, but its physical form is not fixed. Over time, parts can be removed, replaced, or relocated, extending the life of materials beyond the building itself.
4. Temporary Court of Amsterdam — Amsterdam, Netherlands
Designed by cepezed.
The Temporary Court of Amsterdam approaches circular architecture through mobility and reuse. Built to serve as a courthouse for a limited period, the project was designed with a clear future beyond its initial location. The building is composed of modular elements that can be assembled quickly and disassembled just as easily. Structural components, facade systems, and interior elements are all designed to be reused, either by relocating the entire building or by repurposing its parts.
Unlike traditional temporary structures, the quality of the space remains high. Courtrooms, offices, and public areas are designed to meet functional and spatial requirements, showing that circular design does not require compromise. The modular system allows the building to adapt to different contexts. Once its use in Amsterdam is complete, it can be moved to a new site or reconfigured for another purpose.
This extends its lifespan beyond a single function or location, as material choices also reflect this approach. Components are selected for durability and ease of reuse, ensuring they can withstand multiple cycles of assembly and disassembly.
5. The Edge Olympic — Amsterdam, Netherlands
Designed by de Architekten Cie.
Instead of building from scratch, The Edge Olympic reworks an existing office building, extending its life while reducing the need for new materials. A significant portion of the original structure is retained, including the concrete frame and core systems. By keeping these elements, the project reduces material use and energy. New additions are introduced only where necessary, and are designed to be reversible.
The facade is updated using modular components that can be removed or replaced over time. Interior spaces are reconfigured to support flexible use, allowing the building to adapt to different needs without major alterations. Technology also plays a role. Materials and components are documented and tracked, making it easier to manage maintenance, replacement, and future reuse. This adds a layer of transparency to how the building is constructed and how it can evolve.
The Edge Olympic’s most notable element is its focus on reuse at a large scale. It shows that circular architecture is not limited to small or temporary projects. Existing buildings can be transformed into long-term resources, extending their lifespan while reducing waste.
6. Circular Building — London, UK
Designed by Arup in collaboration with BAM and industry partners.
The Circular Building in London was conceived as a full-scale prototype to test how buildings can be designed for disassembly from the start. Developed by a collaboration led by Arup, the project treats the building as a kit of parts. Every element, from the structural frame to the facade panels, is designed to be taken apart without damage and reused elsewhere.
The structure is assembled using mechanical connections instead of permanent fixings. This allows components to be removed individually, rather than requiring demolition. Materials are not bonded or layered in ways that make separation difficult. Instead, they remain distinct and accessible. A key aspect of the project is the use of material passports. Each component is documented, including its origin, specifications, and potential for reuse. This creates a record that can guide future disassembly and redistribution.
7. Triodos Bank Headquarters — Zeist, Netherlands
Designed by RAU Architects.
Triodos Bank Headquarters is structured as a demountable system. Its timber frame is assembled using connections that can be reversed, allowing the structure to be taken apart and reused in the future. The facade is composed of modular elements, including glazing and panels that can be removed or replaced without affecting the overall system. This ensures that parts of the building can be updated over time without generating waste.
Material tracking plays an important role here as well. Components are documented digitally, making it possible to manage their lifecycle and plan for reuse. This extends the concept of circularity beyond construction into long-term operation. Inside, the building is organized to support flexibility. Workspaces can be reconfigured, and systems are layered so that changes can be made without disrupting the entire structure. Triodos Bank Headquarters functions as a fully realized office environment while still being designed for future disassembly.
8. WikiHouse System
Developed by the WikiHouse Foundation, initiated by Alastair Parvin.
The WikiHouse system approaches circular architecture from a different angle. Instead of focusing on a single building, it proposes a method of building that can be applied anywhere. Developed as an open-source platform, WikiHouse allows structures to be designed, fabricated, and assembled using digitally cut components. The system is based on CNC-cut panels that interlock without the need for complex tools or permanent fixings. This makes assembly straightforward and, just as importantly, reversible.
Components are designed to fit together precisely, forming a structural system that can be taken apart and reassembled multiple times. This reduces waste and allows materials to remain in use across different projects. The open-source nature of the system also changes how architecture is produced. Designs can be shared, modified, and adapted to different contexts that shift control from a single designer or manufacturer to a wider network of users. Materials are typically lightweight and standardized, which makes transport and reuse easier. Since the building system avoids adhesives and permanent connections, components can be separated without damage and reused elsewhere.
Circular architecture changes one basic idea: buildings don’t have to end. For architects and planners, this shifts the focus from permanence to possibility. It means designing structures that can evolve, working with what already exists, and thinking beyond a single lifespan.
What these projects make clear is that a building is part of a larger cycle that can extend far beyond its original use.
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