Recyclable by Werner Sobek

New and important insights into the use of recyclable materials in housing construction. Makes a case for creating buildings which are both sustainable and beautiful. Text in English and German.

The Urban Mining and Recycling (UMAR) Experimental Unit, located on the campus of the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, was designed by Werner Sobek with Dirk E. Hebel and Felix Heisel. All the elements required to construct the unit had to be 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable. Of central importance is the idea that instead of using and subsequently disposing of resources, they can be borrowed from their technical and biological cycles for a certain amount of time before being put back into circulation once again. This project demonstrates how a responsible approach to dealing with natural resources can be applied to creating appealing and sustainable buildings, and places life-cycle thinking at the forefront of design. Contents: Construction, Facade, Interiors, Fixtures and Fitings, Product Design and Sustainabilty, Planning Process, Text in English and German.