Confronting the Dirty Secret of Waste in Commercial Architecture
The lifespan of commercial architectural design is shrinking. Shorter leases, frequent tenant turnover, and evolving branding needs have led to commercial spaces being redesigned and renovated with increasing frequency. While this cycle keeps designers, contractors, and suppliers busy, it has also introduced a growing and often overlooked problem: waste. From demolition debris and discarded materials to over-specification and miscommunication during construction, waste is present at nearly every stage of a project. As architecture and design (A&D) professionals, we must confront this “dirty secret” and explore new ways to design and build with sustainability and long-term thinking in mind.
Flaws in the Design and Specification Process
The root of the waste problem often begins at the design and specification phase. Many commercial design projects are driven by aesthetic and experiential goals set by marketing or branding teams, rather than long-term durability or reusability. This leads to the use of bespoke finishes, single-use materials, or products that are difficult to recycle or reuse. Under pressure to meet tight deadlines, architects and designers often select materials without fully considering their end-of-life impact or compatibility with existing building systems.
Additionally, a lack of coordination between designers, engineers, and contractors frequently results in change orders and rework during construction, which significantly increases waste. The connection between design intent and what actually occurs on site is growing more disparate with design contracts and resources being shortened due to speed of a project or budget. In short, design intent and environmental responsibility do not always align.
Contractors and the Incentive to Reduce Waste
Contractors play a critical role in the materialization of architectural projects, yet they often lack incentive to minimize waste. In many cases, contractors are hired on a low-bid basis, and their contracts may not reward sustainable practices. Time constraints, lack of clear material reuse pathways, and job-site inefficiencies further discourage waste reduction. Material over-ordering, driven by fear of delays due to shortages, leads to excess that is often discarded rather than reused or returned.
In manufacturing, the incentive to reduce offcuts or maximize yield is present but often falls behind the need to meet deadlines and control costs. Subcontractors may also find that it is cheaper and faster to dispose of leftover materials than to store, transport, or repurpose them. Without clear contractual language or owner-driven expectations that prioritize sustainability, minimizing waste becomes an afterthought rather than a project priority.
The Post-Pandemic Marketplace and Its Impacts
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped how we use commercial spaces. With remote work, hybrid models, and changing consumer behavior, companies have become hesitant to commit to long-term leases. In turn, the pandemic accelerated the adoption of prefabricated and modular construction methods intended to speed up projects and limit on-site labor.
This uncertainty, combined with expediency, has led to a rise in speculative build-outs, temporary design solutions, and “white box” spaces prepared in advance for unknown tenants. The result? Frequent renovations, premature demolitions, and an alarming increase in landfill waste from still-functional interior finishes and systems.
How Can We Reduce Design Waste?
To address the waste crisis in commercial architecture, the A&D industry must shift toward more circular design principles. One key strategy is designing for disassembly—specifying materials and systems that can be removed, repurposed, or reinstalled in another space with minimal damage. This includes modular furniture, demountable partitions, and flooring systems designed for reuse.
Another critical step is improving collaboration between stakeholders early in the design process. Integrated project delivery (IPD) models, where architects, contractors, engineers, and clients work together from the start, can drastically reduce miscommunication and design inefficiencies that lead to waste. Better documentation, clear material reuse guidelines, and digital modeling (e.g., BIM) can also reduce errors and help teams visualize waste impacts before construction begins.
Material selection must evolve as well. The industry should favor products with high recycled content, third-party certifications (such as Cradle to Cradle or Declare labels), and proven end-of-life pathways. In addition, manufacturers and suppliers can contribute by offering take-back programs, leasing options, or resale channels for used materials.
Ultimately, though, building owners and tenants have significant influence over the level of waste generated in a project. Sustainability is often seen as an added cost rather than a long-term investment. Many tenants prioritize aesthetics, speed, and initial fit-out costs over durability and environmental performance. Similarly, building owners, particularly those with high tenant turnover, may prefer a “blank slate” approach that encourages frequent renovations.
Industry-wide education and transparency are critical. Tenants should be made aware of the environmental impact of their design decisions and be encouraged to incorporate reuse strategies or lease materials and furnishings. Building owners can include sustainability requirements in lease agreements, offer incentives for longer-term fit-outs, or provide shared materials libraries for tenant build-outs. Developers and landlords should also think beyond the next lease cycle and design base building systems that support future flexibility without frequent gut renovations.
Shifting to a Stewardship Mindset
The commercial architecture industry is at a crossroads. As design cycles accelerate and the lifespan of interior fit-outs shrinks, the issue of waste becomes more pressing and more ethically charged. The current approach, built on convenience, speed, and short-term thinking, is unsustainable. However, by rethinking the way we design, specify, build, and collaborate, we can create commercial spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but also responsible and resilient.
Reducing waste is not just a technical challenge—it’s a cultural shift. It requires all participants in the design and construction ecosystem to value longevity, adaptability, and stewardship of resources. The future of commercial design must be rooted in purpose, not just polish. The time to break the cycle of waste is now.
About the Author
Scott Royer
A veteran with more than two decades of experience in woodcraft, Scott Royer is president of Windfall Architectural Products and Cambio Wall System, manufacturers of interior cladding, architectural panels, custom stairs and treads, and both standard and custom work surfaces.