ABSTRACT
Architects will play a key role in reshaping the building industry in a future where circular construction dominates. With the industry’s transition to circular business models, a deeper understanding of the ramifications of construction strategies is increasingly essential. Education systems must adapt to support future architects in this shift. Future architects must embrace material reuse as a core practice to lead this transformation. Current research often overlooks the critical role of educational approaches. If the recovery of components as resources and their reuse is to play a central role, architecture students today must be trained to think in these terms. The aim is to equip students with the skills to participate actively in the transformation process toward circular construction. Education in this domain should foster awareness and hands-on experience. This paper proposes a teaching method that allows for a comprehensive analysis of reclaimed building materials to use them more consciously and effectively in the design process. The method addresses contextual awareness and engagement with reused materials through three subsequent methodological steps: material reading, dismantling and physical sketching. To demonstrate the method’s effectiveness, its application will be discussed in three practical workshops with architecture students.
