In response to the construction sector’s contribution to the climate crisis and exacerbation of social inequalities, we explore sustainable alternatives in building construction, informed by the illustrative case study of the Polycare construction system. First, through a Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) method, we show that the ecological footprint of circularity-oriented buildings based on polymer concrete is significantly lower than that of conventional cement concrete buildings. Despite the drawbacks of polymer concrete, its high-performance properties and the possibility to integrate secondary materials in its recipe can result in a reduced carbon footprint. When coupled with design-embedded modularity that facilitates circular processes (e.g., the disassembly and reuse of building components), buildings similar to those in the case study demonstrate potential for transitioning towards comprehensive sustainable building practices. Further, we discuss how this sustainability potential could be enhanced, drawing from interviews with Polycare’s stakeholders and key literature findings. In this direction, we provide a set of proposals anchored in the argument that threefold “circularity, localisation, and openness” is vital for sustainable and affordable alternatives, with openness being a crucial element for fostering innovation, adaptability, and scalability in building processes.

This article addresses Anna Tsing’s critique of capitalist scalability by introducing the concept of “cosmolocal scalability” as an alternative to approaches that prioritise “scale-at-all-costs.” Cosmolocal scalability challenges the idea of homogeneous, frictionless expansion and instead proposes a context-responsive framework that values biodiversity, as well as the diverse ways of knowing and living. This framework enables local communities of practice to connect globally, fostering collaborative networks. Such connections are facilitated through digital tools and infrastructures that encourage the open exchange of knowledge, skills, and best practices as digital commons. By creating dynamic relationships between different scales – blending global connectivity with localised practices – cosmolocal initiatives nurture an ecosystem of adaptable, decentralised projects that aim to “scale wide” rather than “scale up.” While several challenges still need to be addressed, cosmolocal scalability presents a promising pathway for fostering new social relationships and modes of production, ultimately laying the groundwork for post-capitalist futures.

This chapter discusses the commons through the lens of Theravada Buddhism and reflects on their relation regarding ethics and practice. First, we introduce the commons as a social system of self-organization and governance and as a way of sustainable living observed in both traditional and contemporary contexts. Simultaneously, informed by practiced examples of Buddhist commons from Cambodia, we highlight how the commons find culture-specific expressions and are compatible with the Buddhist tradition. Specifically, we discuss how Buddhist ethics align with the collaborative nature of the commons. Through the comparative understanding of both Buddhist and Commons’ perspectives, we aim to contribute to the relevant literature that challenges the unsustainable global-Western paradigm of economic growth and individualism.