The construction industry is one of the world’s largest consumers of resources, responsible for nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions and generating about a third of all waste worldwide. Traditional “take, make, dispose” models are no longer sustainable in the face of climate change, resource scarcity, and growing urban populations. This is where circular construction comes in—a systemic shift that emphasizes designing for reuse, extending material lifecycles, reducing waste, and integrating sustainability from the ground up.

Circular construction is not just an environmental imperative; it’s also an economic and social opportunity. By rethinking the way we design, build, and operate our cities, we can lower costs, reduce risks, and build communities that are more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready. With global construction set to grow rapidly in the coming decades, the urgency to adopt circular principles has never been greater.

To better understand how these concepts are being applied in practice, we spoke with Juliana Martínez Romero, an Environmental Engineer and Sustainability Consultant, who shares her insights on the challenges, strategies, and future of circular construction.

 

About Juliana 

Juliana Martínez Romero is an Environmental Engineer and Sustainability Consultant dedicated to accelerating the transition toward a low-carbon, circular, and equitable global economy. At Green Factory, she specializes in corporate sustainability, green building certifications, and fair energy transitions, helping organizations translate ambitious sustainability goals into measurable and impactful outcomes.

Her experience spans a wide range of projects where she has successfully reduced energy and water consumption, optimized material reuse, and guided interdisciplinary teams through certification processes and sustainable design strategies. With a systems-thinking approach and a background in Sustainability Management, Juliana integrates climate adaptation and mitigation into business operations—delivering enhanced performance while lowering operational costs.

Passionate about creating resilient cities and regenerative industries, Juliana focuses on shaping sustainability-centered business models that drive long-term environmental and social impact.

 

Journey into Sustainable Construction

What inspired you to pursue a career in sustainable construction, and how did you develop your focus on circular construction?

“I grew up in Barrancabermeja, Colombia, a city shaped by the oil industry. While it provided stability for many, I saw the environmental degradation and social inequities it left behind. That experience gave me a strong motivation to address climate change and led me to study environmental engineering, later specializing in sustainable construction.” 

“Over time, I realized that circular construction provides a unique way to align environmental responsibility with social and economic value, turning the built environment into a driver of resilience.”

 

Principles of Circular Construction

Given your focus on green building delivery and sustainable practices, can you elaborate on the key principles of circular construction and their significance in the current industry landscape?

“Circular construction is about closing loops, much like natural ecosystems. It emphasizes designing for reuse, prioritizing durability, reducing waste, and considering the entire lifecycle of a building.” 

“These principles are especially relevant today because construction consumes vast amounts of raw materials, water, and energy, and generates nearly a third of global waste. By applying circularity, we can cut CO₂ emissions, reduce electricity and water demand, and shift from a linear “take, make, dispose” model toward one of stewardship that creates long-term value for businesses and communities.”

 

Implementing Circular Practices

In your work optimizing material reuse and guiding teams through certification processes, what specific strategies have you found most effective for integrating circular construction practices into projects?

“The most effective strategies begin with designing for success. This means setting clear, cost-effective goals from the earliest stages and ensuring that owners, architects, engineers, and contractors are aligned from the start.” 

“Education plays a central role: when everyone understands why circularity matters and how it benefits them, adoption becomes much easier. I also focus on simple, transparent processes: clear guidelines, accessible tools, and shared milestones, so that circular practices feel natural to implement rather than an added burden.”

 

Challenges in Adoption

From your experience, what are the biggest challenges to adopting circular construction methods, particularly in the context of collaboration among various stakeholders?

“In my experience, the biggest challenge is cultural, not technical. Many stakeholders still view circular practices as additional costs rather than value-creating strategies.”

“Another barrier is fragmentation: owners, designers, and contractors often operate in silos, which limits opportunities for innovation. Overcoming these challenges requires building trust through evidence of lifecycle benefits, aligning incentives with long-term performance, and fostering integrated decision-making across all stages of the project.”

 

Role of Collaboration

Collaboration is crucial in your work across owners, designers, and contractors. How do you facilitate this collaboration to ensure successful circular construction outcomes?

“I make collaboration a central part of the project brief rather than an afterthought. From the outset, we establish an integrative process where all stakeholders agree on sustainability goals and responsibilities.” 

“Meetings and workshops are not only about assigning tasks but also about showing why circularity is feasible and how it will deliver returns in cost savings, risk reduction, and reputation. Transparency is key to this process, so we use dashboards and regular check-ins, every stakeholder can see their contribution to energy performance, water savings, and waste reduction, which builds trust and accountability.”

 

Future of Circular Construction

With your background in systems thinking and sustainability management, what trends do you see emerging in circular construction, and how can the industry leverage these trends for greater impact?

“I see the future of circular construction as a culture shift. While digital tools such as BIM, material passports, and stronger policies on embodied carbon will accelerate adoption, the real transformation comes when waste is no longer seen as inevitable but as a resource with value. This mindset opens space for innovation, community-based reuse hubs, supplier take-back programs, and new business models in recovery and remanufacturing.” 

“It also creates opportunities for women and underrepresented professionals to lead these emerging areas of the value chain. Circularity will achieve scale when it is not treated as an innovation project, but as a standard way of thinking and building.”

 

 

Circular construction is no longer an option for the future—it is a necessity for today. By rethinking how we design, build, and collaborate, the industry has the potential to drastically cut emissions, reduce waste, and unlock innovative business models that generate long-term value. Juliana Martínez Romero’s insights highlight the crucial role of early alignment, transparent processes, and a cultural shift toward seeing materials not as disposable, but as resources to be regenerated.

As the sector faces urgent climate and resource challenges, her perspective reminds us that true transformation comes when circularity is treated not as an add-on but as a standard way of building. With collaboration, education, and a shared vision, the built environment can become a driving force for resilience and equity.

We extend our sincere thanks to Juliana for sharing her expertise and inspiring vision on how circular construction can shape a more sustainable, inclusive, and regenerative future.

 

 

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At Chicago Build, we are dedicated to sustainability, and our speakers and panel discussions reflect that commitment. With over 400 industry leaders sharing their insights across various stages, including a dedicated sustainability track, we aim to inspire and educate our 30,000+ attendees on the importance of eco-friendly practices in construction. 

Join Juliana in shaping a greener future by participating in our Sustainability in Construction Ambassador Program, where you can collaborate with like-minded professionals and contribute to meaningful change in the industry. Join the Ambassador Community today!