Launch of world's first design guide on detailing for waste-efficiency

Reader in Architecture Fionn Stevenson has provided her expertise for a new guide - the first of its kind in the world - which offers guidance on how architects and designers can reduce waste created through standard building design.

The guide, "Detailing for Deconstruction: SEDA Design Guide for Scotland", has been compiled by Fionn together with Chris Morgan of Locate Architects, for the Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA), following an extensive study the pair carried out last year sponsored by the Scottish Executive.

The construction and demolition industries are responsible for the largest commercial proportion by far of the waste now filling up landfill sites around the UK. Not only is the amount of waste generated an indictment of contemporary life, but space to store it is running out. In some parts of Scotland there is no more landfill available.

The new guide approaches the problem from the perspective of waste prevention, by encouraging designers and builders to use materials and methods which would enable the bulk of buildings to be reused or recycled once they have reached the end of their lifecycle.

The guide was launched at a seminar at the Lighthouse Centre for Architecture and Design in Glasgow. It can be viewed and downloaded free of charge on the web through SEDA's website at: www.seda2.org