First of all, now that cradle-to-cradle has really become the gold standard in LEED certification, you can actually get two points for cradle-to-cradle because it includes custom improvement and optimisation. How have you seen architecture and products change since 2002? Essentially it’s about observations, reflections and new revelations. It sort of updates what has happened since 2002. It’s a small book, but could be considered a coda to cradle-to-cradle. It’s called, The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability – Designing for Abundance. You recently released another book can you tell us about it? That’s the first order of business because if we recirculate poisonous things, it’s even worse. It’s about ensuring that things are designed to go back to soil safely, or back to industry safely without contaminating each other. It’s really about quality first and making sure that things are designed to be safe and healthy in biological or technical cycles. It allows us to share the present with the future with grace and dignity. Cradle-to-cradle follows a take, make, retake and remake system. So rather than cradle-to-grave, which is a take, make, waste system.

It’s a way of designing and producing that honours all future generations by designing and manufacturing for next use, instead of end of life. William McDonough: Cradle-to-cradle is the creation and qualification of a circular economy. Aleesha Callahan chats to McDonough over the phone from the US to find out about some of his latest endeavours, including a newly rereleased carpet collection with Shaw Contract.Īleesha Callahan: How would you describe cradle-to-cradle in the simplest way possible? As an architect and preeminent figure in sustainability, he has championed a new way to create and recreate products. Originally Posted By Australian Design Reviewįor anyone familiar with the concept of cradle-to-cradle, William McDonough should need no introduction. Cradle-to-cradle: In conversation with William McDonoughĪugArchitecture + Urban Strategies, Business + Innovation, Circular Economy, Cradle to Cradle

Cradle to cradle by william mcdonough