Engaged Research Grants
CI:RCLE – Circular Ithaca: Researching Construction in the Local Economy
Overcoming social, economic and environmental challenges in the construction industry
The construction industry is the biggest consumer of energy and resources – accounting for 39% of greenhouse gas emissions and more than 50% of resource extraction and solid waste production. The concept of the circular economy — a restorative and regenerative system that aims to eliminate waste by continually reusing materials and products — is increasingly gaining attention as a way to overcome these challenges.
The CI:RCLE project team aims to investigate circular potentials of the local built environment by capitalizing on material reuse and recycling; new construction methods; the reactivation of embodied carbon, water and knowledge; green job creation; and new business models of production and construction. CI:RCLE represents a wide and diverse community of academic and industrial partners promoting and enabling circular construction through integrated research, case study projects and policy recommendations in support of the City and Town of Ithaca’s Green New Deal and 2030 carbon-neutrality goals.
Type: Public purpose research grant
Topics: Arts, Communication, Media and Design; Economic Vitality and Entrepreneurship; Energy, Environment and Sustainability
The Team
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Felix Heisel, Circular Construction Lab, Department of Architecture
College of Architecture, Art and Planning
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Mark Milstein, Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise, Johnson Graduate School of Management
SC Johnson College of Business
- Community partner: Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc.
- Community partner: Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services
- Community partner: Cornell Cooperation Extension of Tompkins County
- Community partner: Trade Design Build
- Community partner: Taitem Engineering, PC
In the News
May 21, 2021
Break it down: CR0WD task force forges zero waste goals
– Cornell Chronicle
May 19, 2021
Faculty profiles: From circular construction to academic law ambition
– Ezra magazine
Engaged Research Grants
Funding scholarship and scientific research collaborations with undergraduates and community partners.