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Arup has developed a Circular Economy Manifesto to inspire the design approach of participants in this year’s Carlo Ratti-curated edition of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.

The manifesto, drafted by a team of circular economy specialists with input from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, calls for sustainable, circular design practices that eliminate waste, regenerate natural systems, and leave a lasting legacy in the built environment.

Outlining seven guiding principles for design, the manifesto calls for participants to focus on whole-life carbon, use of reclaimed materials, zero construction waste, and enhanced ecological value, calling for collaborative, innovative solutions that create a sustainable future. The document also offers a clear and consistent framework to guide designers in adopting circular principles thinking into the design of exhibitions and, where possible, national pavilions.

Running from May to November, the Biennale Architettura 2025 is a landmark event to explore the role of design disciplines including architecture, urban design and engineering in the built environment. The 2025 edition, themed 'Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.', focuses on circularity as a core principle to address climate change in the built environment.

At the request of this year’s Biennale Architettura Curator, Carlo Ratti, we worked with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, contributing to this vision by co-developing a manifesto to guide the event’s design approach and providing an opportunity for architects and designers to explore how circularity can be embedded into their work.

“By integrating circularity into its design framework, the Biennale sets an important example for other large-scale event organisers to consider their overall footprint and design practices and leave a lasting sustainability legacy. As an established built environment consultant, Arup wants to inspire and encourage designers and architects in their journey towards more sustainable and circular approaches,” according to Martin Pauli, who leads Arup´s global Circular Economy services.

Arup is a long-time knowledge partner to Ellen MacArthur Foundation, bringing built environment perspectives to its circular economy work.