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Circular Economy Living Lab: Research Studio 2022

Created By:
  • Thamer AlSalem
  • Mickey Chapa
  • Ali Hashem
  • Shuqin Li

As building materials’ extraction and manufacturing contributes largely to the detriment of our climate, the circular economy (CE), by introducing a leasing model and specific r-strategies that correspond to the type and condition of a material stock, adds value throughout the value chain while drastically reducing production of new materials.


By providing various functional as well as educational spaces while maintaining its primary function as a dormitory, the circular economy living lab at Penn transforms Sansom west to become a center for the evaluation and promotion of CE systems and products at all building scales and for all stakeholders.

When designing the various layers of architecture (Shearing Layers) in a climate emergency, CE lends to powerful design frameworks including designing envelopes for disassembly, space plans for co-living, and stuff for sharing, while insuring all is done in a techno-environmental symbiosis.

Date Created: Fall 2022
Course: Foundations of Bioclimatic Design
Instructor(s):

Dr. William Braham

Professor Billie Faircloth

Meet the Program Director William W. Braham

Learn to design buildings that positively contribute to local, regional, and global ecosystems.

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