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It's no secret that sustainability is trending, especially among young homeowners and buyers. Real estate professionals who understand sustainable design philosophies become trusted sources that their clients can rely on past the transaction.
The word "sustainable" is an all-encompassing idea that breaks down into many parts. It could refer to anything from a product made with environmentally-friendly materials to a lifestyle that minimizes one’s carbon footprint. Within the overarching sustainability movement are specific philosophies that seek to solve the various issues facing the environment today. Circular design is one such specific philosophy that focuses on creating décor, fixtures and spaces with extended life cycles, thus reducing waste.
"In contrast to linear design, in which a material is designed, built, used, and discarded, circular design seeks to extend the lifetime of a material by ensuring multiple uses ..." explains Mackenzie Collier, interior designer and founder of Mackenzie Collier Interiors in Phoenix, Ariz. "In circular design," she adds, "a product is designed to simplify future reuse or recycling."
Circular Design 101
First things first: Circular design is not an aesthetic style. Unlike biophilic design or Art Deco, this refers to the philosophy and intention behind a product or space.
"In a circular model, materials and products enjoy endless, closed-loop lifecycles as they ... are reused, recycled, upcycled and transformed into new products and materials," says Laurence Carr, interior architect and designer, founder, and CEO of Laurence Carr, Inc. in New York, N.Y. In other words, waste is designed out of the equation.
One example of circular design are bathroom tiles made from recycled materials, which are designed to be recycled again.
The Difference Between Circular Design and Sustainable Design
Circular design and sustainable design go hand in hand. Carr and Collier describe the first as a type or extension of the second.
"Sustainable design is mainly focused on reducing harm," explains Carr. "Circular design is about reducing harm and reversing it to create a positive impact."
Another way to think about it: Sustainable design minimizes the environmental impact of making a product in the first place. Circular design considers both the present and future sustainability of the materials.
For Collier, incorporating circular design into the home is a natural part of a sustainable lifestyle. Homeowners who care about minimizing environmental impact will also feel drawn to circular design.
How Homeowners Can Incorporate Circular Design
Both design experts prefer not to call circular design a "trend." Collier says it's just a good, environmentally aware practice — and it's not going away anytime soon.
Depending on the client and project, circular design might look like a combination of several of the following:
- Going vintage. "This way, our clients get something different than what everyone else is picking up at West Elm or Crate and Barrel this season," Collier says. "It creates a gathered-over-time aesthetic, is often more cost-conscious, AND is the more environmentally sustainable choice."
- Prioritizing recycled and recyclable products. In circular design, it's essential to do everything possible to eliminate waste. One way to do that? Recycling. Collier suggests buying from companies with recycling programs (like FLOR recyclable carpet tiles) or products made from recycled materials.
- Getting pickier about building materials. For Carr, that means using certified and reclaimed woods for flooring. It also looks like using sustainable materials such as bamboo, cork or biomaterial derived from waste.
- Sourcing "forever" pieces. This could mean quality pieces from local artists or timeless furniture styles that are made to last. Today's circularity-minded clients are turning away from flashy trends and toward homes and products that are made to stand the test of time.
- Reimagining the home structure itself. Homeowner clients will probably have an easier time using circular designs during room refreshes or renovations. But for those looking to build, Carr points to prefabricated homes. "[They're] created with a focus on energy efficiency and durability, able to be disassembled and repurposed at the end of their useful life," she says.
Circular Design Resources for Clients
Infusing a house with circular design takes time. It happens product by product, room by room.
So, where should you and your clients start? Third-party certifications, says Carr. That means looking for products and materials verified as sustainable or circular.
Here are some of the third-party stamps of approval Carr looks for:
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for wood-based products made using sustainable forestry practices
- Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certification for products designed with circular principles in mind
- GreenGuard for products that meet strict standards for indoor air quality
- Energy Star for energy-efficient products and appliances
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for organic, eco-friendly fabrics
- Fair Trade for products made by workers who are paid fair wages in safe conditions and who use environmentally sustainable practices
- B Corp Certification for companies meeting strict standards and accountability in social and environmental performance
"The built environment generates nearly 50% of annual global CO2 emissions …," says Carr. "Any small efforts we can each make in our own lives add up in a big way, so please do keep circularity at the top of mind whenever making decisions about your home and lifestyle!"
