IntroductionIn nature there is a system that works in such a way that there is no waste. Nutrients and metabolism go through a cycle, undergoing different transformations. A simple cycle is the process of exhaling carbon dioxide. Animals and humans exhale carbon dioxide, which is absorbed by plants, as it is an important component for the food production process called photosynthesis. Leaves that fall to the ground are naturally broken down into nutrients for the soil and fertilizers for the trees. (McDonough and Braungart, 2002, p. 92) These relationship cycles in nature can also be applied in architecture. Buildings as living organisms constantly change over time. It could be due to a change in use, weathering and vandalism, or the materials from which they are constructed. They grow and degenerate, absorbing the superfluous they find in their environment and releasing what is no longer needed. (Hinte, Peeren and Jongert, 2007, p. 18) When we recycle buildings, there are many strategies that can be applied, reusing the facade and incorporating materials, which remain in place and also by encapsulation. There are various approaches as each abandoned building has its own historical identity and complications. This essay explores the typologies of derelict buildings around Manchester as case studies and explores the strategies used. Some strategies reuse materials found on site. An analysis will be carried out whereby building materials would be extracted, to be restored and incorporated into the new design or completely reformed into a different material for a different use. This essay examines the similarities between biological cycles and building recycling by taking a different perspective on building r...... middle of paper...." [online] HowStuffWorks. Available at: http ://science.howstuffworks.com/life/evolution/evolution.htm [Accessed 1 May 2014].13. Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk, (2014) Design process |. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110107165544/http://www.buildingforlife.org/case-studies/rostron-brow/design-process [Accessed 1 May 2014].14 Rose, J. (2014). to disaster, Pritzker winner Shigeru Ban Designs Solutions [online] NPR.org Available at: http://www.npr.org/2014/03/24/292420643/pritzker-winner -in-the-face-of-disaster [Accessed 1 May 2014].Images15 http://biologos.org/uploads/static-content/Figure_1.png (. 2014). biologos.org/uploads/static-content/Figure_1.png [Accessed 1 May. 2014].