The Wasteland exhibit on display at the Danish Architecture Center in Copenhagen encourages visitors to consider one of the vastest untapped resources currently available to the construction industry. Worldwide, 127 million tons of this resource languish every year, leading to losses of upwards of 14 trillion USD. The resource in question? Waste.
Though waste is by definition the discards that are unusable after a given process has taken place, the Wasteland exhibit encourages people to reconsider that denotation. With such immense value, Wasteland focuses on finding ways to upcycle this waste material, since upcycling not only helps reduce the material waste itself but also offers a cheap alternative to traditional production methods.
The exhibition is divided into six material categories: cement, plastic, metal, glass, wood, and brick. It is designed to give people a tactile experience, letting them feel the various waste materials displayed throughout.
Architectural Upcycling Exhibitions
The Wasteland Exhibit Shows How Architects Can Tap Into Waste
Trend Themes
1. Upcycling in Construction - The Wasteland exhibit highlights the increasing trend to use waste materials in construction through upcycling for savings and reducing environmental impact.
2. Circular Economy - The concept of a circular economy where waste is treated as a resource instead of discarded is gaining momentum in the construction industry.
3. Sustainable Architecture - Sustainability is becoming a key consideration in architecture and construction with emphasis on designing eco-friendly, resource-efficient buildings.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - The construction industry is increasingly exploring opportunities for cost-effective, environmentally conscious alternatives to traditional production methods using waste materials.
2. Waste Management - With the vast amount of waste produced, waste management companies need to evaluate the potential of utilizing waste for upcycling in the construction sector.
3. Exhibition and Museum - Exhibitions like Wasteland are attracting attention and giving new insights into sustainable practices for architecture and construction, creating more demand for environmentally conscious building practices.