Biological cycle
Biological materials can be designed to return safely to natural systems, helping nutrients move back into the soil rather than becoming waste.
Kanth London CPD introduction
Circular economy thinking for better specification
A short introduction for architects, interior designers and specifiers. Explore how circular thinking changes the way we consider materials, products and the life of a specification.
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Kanth London
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Re-thinking progress
We're pleased to share the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's introduction to circular economy thinking, covering biological and technical cycles and designing for materials to stay useful.
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Ellen MacArthur Foundation
From take, make and dispose to keep, return and renew
A linear economy takes materials, makes products and disposes of them at the end of their first use. Circular thinking asks a different question: how can products, components and materials remain useful for longer?
The Circular Economy CPD introduces the biological and technical cycles that support this shift, with practical relevance for architects and specifiers considering reuse, maintenance, disassembly and future change.
The two cycles
Materials can be designed to move through useful cycles
Technical cycle
Technical materials such as metals, polymers and alloys can be kept at their highest possible value through return, repair, reuse, recovery and regeneration.
For architects and specifiers
Designing for the next use
The course connects circular economy principles with the practical decisions behind a specification: choosing materials thoughtfully, allowing for maintenance, considering disassembly and understanding how products and components might be used again.
- Keep materials useful beyond the first life of a product
- Consider repair, separation and disassembly early in the design process
- Recognise the collaboration needed across manufacturers, suppliers and the wider built environment
A starting point for further thought
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation animation is shared here as an attributed educational resource for this introduction.
Continue with the full Circular Economy CPD
Explore circular principles for design and specification through our one-hour online CPD.
Continue the online CPD
Continue learning
Choose the format that suits your practice
Take the introduction further through an in-person session, the one-hour online CPD, or a conversation about a live project or technical question.
Arrange an in-person CPD
Arrange a group CPD at your practice or at the Kanth showroom in Sloane Square. Get in touch to discuss dates and availability.
Arrange an in-person CPDRegister for the online CPD
Create an account or sign in to complete the one-hour Circular Economy CPD, take the assessment and receive your certificate of completion.
Discuss a project or technical question
Speak with us about your project or request technical information.
Discuss a project or technical questionDiscuss live online delivery
Ask about a live online group CPD for your practice.
Discuss live online deliveryA few useful questions
What is circular economy thinking?
It is a way of designing and organising products and systems so materials can remain useful through cycles of reuse, repair, regeneration or safe return.
Why does it matter to specifiers?
Specification decisions influence the materials, products, maintenance needs and future options built into a project. Circular thinking helps those decisions account for what happens after first use.
Are the public tasters the full CPD?
No. These two short videos introduce the subject. Register for the separate one-hour online Circular Economy CPD to complete the learning and assessment.
Choose how you would like to continue learning.