Circular practices

MP: Many practices in Switzerland operate more like traditional architectural practices, each with their own methods. Some are beginning to shift toward being more environmentally conscious, but that requires a significant change in how they’ve been working for years. However, a new generation of young architects and interior architects is actively trying to integrate sustainability into their work. A few offices are focusing on durability and reuse, particularly with earthen and bio-sourced materials. While many people discuss reuse, fewer actually implement it. 

VM: We only know a few architectural offices working this way, but we've been in contact with various firms interested in reuse. They often ask us how we approach it, indicating that this interest is growing.

MP: However, many people use the term ‘reuse’, but there’s often some ambiguity. ‘Reuse’ specifically refers to using materials in their original function or adapting them for a new purpose while preserving their original appearance. Many people conflate reuse with recycling, which involves a transformation process that consumes more energy. 

VM: To recycle, you need energy to transform materials, whereas reuse typically involves using the materials as they are. You might have craftsmen adapt them slightly, but the core materiality remains intact. We practise both methods but prioritise reuse in our projects.

MP: We are both conscious of circularity and durability in our personal lives. Once we started working together, we shared our vision of construction, particularly in interior architecture, where materials are often replaced and trends lead to waste. We aim to avoid contributing to this cycle, focusing instead on preserving resources and caring for the materiality of our projects. We prioritise working on existing buildings and explore ways to highlight and reuse their materials. If we cannot reuse them, we ensure they remain in the material cycle for future projects. When sourcing materials for our projects, we seek reused materials from buildings slated for demolition or from resource areas that sell such materials.

VM: It’s a long learning process, and we are still learning. Nowadays, we have more resources for finding materials because there are more specialised structures focused on reuse than a few years ago.  For instance, inventories are conducted before demolishing a building to assess the potential of each material. We’ve learned where to find these materials and how to identify those with good reuse potential, minimising the need for extensive work to integrate them into projects.

Material-driven design

VM: Wood is quite common in our projects, so we almost always look for it. But we also love to get inspired by what we find. We are always aware of what materials we can find, and we’re always open to new perspectives throughout the design phase of the project.

MP: For several projects, we've been searching for marble and granite. These materials are relatively easy to find, especially for kitchens or tables; we know where to source them. There are many materials available on the market due to building demolitions, such as doors, but reusing them can be a bit more complicated. Sometimes the frame is missing, and a door without a frame can be challenging or expensive to work with, as you'll need a carpenter to recreate the frame. Windows are similar; they often don't fit the frame, so while they can be found and reused, it's usually for something else such as for indoor interventions. Wooden floors can also be sourced, along with tiles, particularly older ones, because they weren't glued down. In the past, they were easier to remove, while newer building methods involve glue, which makes it difficult to salvage wood floors without breaking.

VM: We enjoy going to second-hand shops but for construction materials. There are a few in Switzerland—about five or six scattered across different regions. And there are also online platforms where both professionals and private individuals sell materials. For example, someone might be renovating their kitchen and looking to remove the old fixtures.

For a project—a cultural centre here in Geneva—we designed a series of modular elements, including a bar, an entrance desk, and various tables. We determined the sizes and quantities needed but were uncertain about the material for the tabletops. We knew we required something resistant for a public space and not too heavy, as the furniture needed to be mobile. While crossing the Plainpalais flea market, we discovered a beautiful green marble tabletop. However, we needed around 8 square metres of tabletop material. We decided to buy it as the first piece, allowing ourselves two months to find the additional pieces. This initial find helped us decide on our material. We then worked with artisans to adjust the dimensions, and the tabletops were successfully installed in the project.

MP: Instead of detailing every aspect of the project first and then selecting materials, as we learned in previous offices or at school, we search for materials simultaneously. This allows us to define the project in terms of circulation, usage, and practical functions while selecting materials that influence the appearance and functionality of the project. We always do a lot of research and start early in the project development phase because it’s crucial for us to be inspired by the materials. 

In terms of communication, we always include process pictures, showcasing the ‘ugly’ or ‘before’ stages alongside how those materials can be reused later. We often see only the final images of polished projects, but if you only look at the result, you miss the entire story behind it, and it doesn’t help people to see the potential of materials. 

Empowering clients through reuse

VM: At the beginning, we draw a project that answers the client’s needs. We also leave the door open for the possibility of including reuse elements that can better meet their requirements. Most of the time, they are quite receptive and pleased when we find a reused element that can be integrated into the project.

MP: We’ve seen an evolution in our reuse projects. In our first project five years ago, it was difficult; nobody really understood reuse, and finding materials was a challenge. While it has always been our main goal, we struggled to implement a significant amount of reused materials. However, in our latest project, we are pleased to report that we successfully incorporated a substantial amount of reused materials while maintaining the project's quality.

One example is the renovation of a flat here in Geneva. We renovated the kitchen and common living room, achieving about 90% reuse. We found all the standard kitchen boxes from a reuse platform; they were sourced from an old hotel that was being dismantled. Since hotel kitchens are not used extensively, the materials were in excellent condition. We also sourced granite for the countertop from a previous kitchen and adapted the island's size once we found a suitable marble piece.

The only challenge was a hole for a sink in the island, which we didn't need. Instead of seeing it as a problem, we treated it as an opportunity. We filled the hole with a piece of solid wood, which is now used in the kitchen for chopping and other tasks. This approach allowed us to create interesting details and aesthetics in the project. All the cupboards were crafted with the help of our artisans using leftover wood from another project. We also created a large shelf using various furniture pieces we sourced through Caritas, which had lots of discarded broken furniture. Initially, they didn't look appealing, but we conducted prototypes to remove the paint and varnish, resulting in a great mix of wood types, while keeping a raw aesthetic.

Keywords to define our practice

VM: In every project, we try to quantify or illustrate key aspects with keywords. For example, we calculate the kilograms of reused materials in a project or the percentage of reused versus new materials. Over the years, we've noticed that this percentage has been increasing as we’ve found it easier to source materials and connect with skilled individuals for adaptations. 

MP: Keywords serve as a sort of manifesto for our office. ‘Valorise,’ because every time we start a project, we aim to valorise what already exists. Before transforming or renovating, we conduct an inventory to identify valuable elements that can be highlighted or repurposed in the project. We also focus on the valorisation of external resources that we could reuse.

VM: ‘Approvisionner’ refers to sourcing materials. We strive to find materials that are local or nearby, emphasising care in reused, recycled or bio-sourced material sourcing. 

MP: ‘Transmettre,’ which translates to ‘sharing.’ We teach at HEAD–Genève, and it’s important for us to share our methods, spread the word, and provide tips through experimentation with our students.

Learning by doing 

MP: Our favourite part of teaching is giving in-situ workshops. Each year we find a building that will be demolished soon. The idea is to conduct a workshop with students to help them understand the quantity of resources available that will ultimately end up as waste. We want them to first consider this issue by taking an inventory of the materials that could be reused in the building. We encourage them to think not just about potential uses, but also about how to create systems that facilitate the circulation of materials within the city.

We also include practical steps where students test dismantling techniques. I believe that by dismantling, they learn how to construct and design effectively. If they discover that wood is glued, they understand that it cannot be easily taken apart, which may lead them to consider alternatives like screws or different assembly methods in their future designs. Students enjoy being on-site and developing projects in different ways. 

VM: Some students showcase the material as it is, using cleaning and repairing processes. Some other students use the material but change the function. 

Building a more sustainable future

MP: I think the construction world needs to improve and encourage architects and designers to adopt sustainable practices. It’s all interconnected; with so many buildings being demolished, we need to find a way to circulate the vast amount of materials available. However, issues like transportation and storage often deter people from doing it.

VM: Many people are researching reuse and are motivated to make a change. I’m confident it will evolve, and I hope we’ll see a new way of doing architecture. There are also new laws being proposed that could help, such as requiring inventories before demolition. Perhaps it’s time for legislation that mandates these practices to ensure they’re implemented. Some programs in Geneva already offer subsidies or encouragement for projects that incorporate reuse.

MP: For me, it’s more about practical support than just rules. It’s easy to create regulations, but if we lack the technical resources or the people to implement them, it won’t be effective. I believe it’s a comprehensive issue that needs to be addressed.