You need to educate clients on sustainable design benefits. How can you highlight the circular economy?
To make clients understand the benefits of sustainable design, it's vital to emphasize how the circular economy can create value. Here's how:
What strategies have you found effective in educating clients on sustainable design?
You need to educate clients on sustainable design benefits. How can you highlight the circular economy?
To make clients understand the benefits of sustainable design, it's vital to emphasize how the circular economy can create value. Here's how:
What strategies have you found effective in educating clients on sustainable design?
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Highlighting real-world examples of past projects is crucial in showing clients the tangible benefits of sustainable design! It helps even those unfamiliar with the concept understand its impact. Plus, sustainable design encourages creativity by utilizing local resources in innovative, cost-effective ways.
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In old school the kids sang about the Three Rs - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Now with Circular Economy we add Repurpose, Restore and Regenerate. The dialog moves to rationale and reasons behind adopting policies that support Circular Economy. I typically share with clients that the most expensive items we have for a project are the ones that contribute little and that we purchase once for only a very brief use. I have a past client that re-uses shipping pallets every year as part of their Christmas Decorations (with our help) these used, reused and again reused materials have fastening points embedded so they can be bolted together becoming framing which has been used for numerous years (flat packed to minimize their storage volume)
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Sustainable design offers a multitude of benefits, but unfortunately, some people hesitate to embrace it due to the perception that it will be more costly. It’s crucial to dispel this "threat" by demonstrating how investing in sustainable design is, in fact, the best long-term option. Beyond immediate savings, it delivers greater value, resilience, and efficiency over time. Additionally, we need to take a step back and discuss the true "Cost of everything". When we choose not to invest in sustainable practices, the burden falls on others, often with serious consequences. Sustainable design is not just an investment in the environment, it is a commitment to equity, ethical responsibility, and a healthier planet for all.
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Encourage clients to see sustainable design as an investment that pays off in terms of cost savings and improved building performances. By adopting circular economy principles, we can move towards a resilient economic system that benefits both people & the planet. To restore the ecosystems, natural systems are regenerated through reuse, repair, refurbishment and recycling. Creating passive designs like orient buildings to optimise natural light and airflow in Germany, smart thermostat systems in Japan, using locally sourced materials with low embodied energy in Denmark, incorporating carbon- neutrality technologies in Costa Rica, planning vertical gardens in Singapore, are few strategies to create more sustainable environments.
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One of the most practical ways to help clients appreciate sustainable design is by emphasizing resource efficiency. Reusing materials or opting for renewable resources doesn’t just reduce waste—it saves money in the long run. I’ve seen this firsthand in projects where reclaimed materials like wood or steel were incorporated. Not only did it cut costs, but it also added unique character to the design. The circular economy is all about getting more value out of materials, and when clients understand that, they’re much more open to these ideas.