From Non-Extractive to Post-Extractive Architecture. Geographies of Waste.

This thesis explores how architecture can move beyond extractive and exploitative practices by critically analyzing the material, spatial, and socio-economic implications of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. It positions itself within the discourse of non-extractive architecture, which challenges conventional notions of sustainability and advocates for practices rooted in circularity, responsibility, and care. Using Luxembourg as a case study, the research investigates the geographies of waste, analysing data on waste flows, treatment methods, and landfill infrastructures. The findings reveal that over 80% of the country’s waste originates from C&D activities, with excavated soil representing the largest, yet least addressed, fraction. By mapping these flows and their externalities, the thesis exposes systemic inefficiencies and the urgent need for a shift in architectural practice. In response, it proposes a set of interlinked strategies, ranging from outlawing unnecessary excavation and reusing excavated materials to prioritizing subtraction, reuse, and preservation over demolition and new construction. Together, these approaches advocate for a post-extractive architecture that values existing resources, reimagines waste as a material commons, and embeds repair, maintenance, and stewardship into the core of the discipline.