Loading

Cradle to Cradle For recyclable, flexible and healthy buildings that retain their value

Since the 1990s many principals have made energy efficiency a priority but are using increasing quantities of materials to achieve this. However, in the long term we face a shortage of raw materials, not of energy.

The concept of Cradle to Cradle

The Cradle to Cradle approach solves this problem and brings a new level of quality to buildings.

Cradle to Cradle (C2C) describes the principle of two continuous cycles: Consumables are biodegradable and go back into the natural nutrient cycle. At the end of their service life, durable goods are separated into the individual raw materials and returned to the technical cycle. Material quality is maintained, so that ‘downcycling’ – loss of quality – is avoided. All materials are chemically safe and recyclable. There is no waste in the conventional sense – only reusable ‘nutrients’.

How do you benefit from the C2C concept?

  • As an investor or principal, you can cut construction costs and investment volume. The buildings serve as raw material repositories instead of unused capital.
  • As a user, you get high-quality, healthy and inspiring working environment at competitive prices. The buildings are flexible and adaptable, designed with repurposing and replacement cycles in mind.
  • As a product manufacturer, you secure raw materials for the future, detoxify their supply chain and open up new markets.

What do we offer?

  • Circular Engineering
  • Cradle to Cradle® Design Concept
  • Cradle to Cradle® Mentoring
  • Corporate Circular Consulting
  • Company Training
  • Product Optimisation & Design Innovation Product Certification
  • City District Circular Consulting
  • Public Circular Consulting

Our story

Since its foundation in 1987 by Professor Dr. Michael Braungart the environmental protection encouragement agency EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung GmbH has developed into a global research and consultancy institution promoting environmentally-friendly products, processes and buildings. After five years of close partnership advising clients and investors, Drees & Sommer and Professor Dr. Michael Braungart have formally teamed up on January 1, 2019 to create a new company under the name of EPEA GmbH – Part of Drees & Sommer. The objective of the combination is to establish Cradle to Cradle® design principles for the circular economy in all sectors of industry.

Check out our innovative projects creating sustainable solutions:

The Cradle, Düsseldorf, Germany

The new office building by INTERBODEN is to be developed in accordance with Cradle to Cradle principles. Source: HPP Architekten, © INTERBODEN/bloomimages

ZIN by Befimmo, Brussels, Belgium

In addition to the redevelopment of the Brussels World Trade Center I & II, Drees & Sommer and EPEA will provide support for the deconstruction and processing of the old building materials and their value-adding re-use in other construction projects.

RAG Administrative Building, Essen, Germany

The building on the Zollverein coal mine world cultural heritage site is considered a flagship for sustainable building design with a special focus on Cradle to Cradle principles. © Nikolai Benner

Venlo City Hall, Netherlands

EPEA supported the City Hall Venlo by creating Circularity Passports for building products. © Gemeente Venlo

Straubenhardt Fire Station, Germany

The sustainable fire station in the German municipality of Straubenhardt is one of the first C2C public-sector projects in Germany. © wulf architekten gmbh

Tarkett

With iD Revolution Tarkett has developed the first modular vinyl floor, which has been awarded the C2C CertifiedTM Gold Level certificate. © Tarkett Holding GmbH

Schüco

With the support of Drees & Sommer, Schüco International KG has developed the first windows and façades that meet the C2C CertifiedTM product standard. © Schüco International KG

Building Material Scout

The use of sustainable and certified products is promoted by databases and platforms such as the Building Material Scout. For builders, architects, planners and construction companies, the platform offers the opportunity to obtain information about recyclable and healthy building products, to contact the manufacturers and organize the data management for construction projects.

Your contact

Marco Abdallah, +44 7867 428013, marco.abdallah@dreso.com

Find out more:

Follow us: