The contributions of sustainability to architectural designs are steadily increasing in parallel with developments in technology. Although sustainability seems to be a new concept in today’s architecture, in reality, it is not. This is because, much of sustainable architectural design principles depend on references to vernacular architecture, and there are many examples found in different parts of the world to which architects can refer. When the world seeks for more sustainable buildings, it is acceptable to revisit the past in order to understand sustainable features of vernacular architecture. It is clear that vernacular architecture has a knowledge that matters to be studied and classified from a sustainability point of view. This work aims to demonstrate that vernacular architecture can contribute to improving sustainability in construction. In this sense, the paper evaluates specific vernacular housing in Eastern Black Sea Region in Turkey and their response to nature and ecology. In order to explain this response, field work was carried out and the vernacular architectural accumulation of the region was examined on site. The features of the examples have been identified and debated in today’s sustainable architectural concept. This work holistically evaluates this architectural manifestation, in the light of current knowledge, in order to find scientific justification for its knowledge to verify and promote its application in the future.

Today, construction practices with potential damages to the environment are carried out uncontrollably to respond to rapidly growing population needs. In the construction sector, which is one of the leading sectors closely following technological developments, steps must be taken to protect the world's ecologic balance. The goal of the professionals is not only to put up a building in accordance with its design but also to comply with environmental requirements in a respectful way. Different parameters such as erroneous design decisions, inadequate work schedules, sudden weather oppositions, defects in product supply can affect directly or indirectly the construction process, resulting in the generation of construction waste on the construction site. These wastes negatively affect the living and non-living environment. It is not technically possible to completely eliminate construction wastes generated during the construction process, but it is possible to control and recover these wastes. For this reason, innovative applications are important in the construction sector. This study examines the potential of BIM applications in preventing/reducing wastes in the construction process. For this purpose; articles that talk about the reasons of waste generation in the construction sector and the relationship between BIM technology and construction waste management practices were examined, and the findings obtained were evaluated. BIM applications have been proposed to be developed to prevent/reduce wastes on the construction site.

The transition to a circular economy requires reimagining waste as resource, particularly in post-disaster contexts where temporary infrastructure often becomes obsolete after its initial use. This study aims to operationalise a circular framework by repurposing nearly 215,000 container units from the 6 February 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye into affordable student dormitories. By designing a dual-use lifecycle, the research addresses the chronic shortage of university accommodation while ensuring these units remain maintained and ready for rapid deployment in potential future disasters. Using the Erciyes University campus as a case study, the methodology focuses on architectural strategies for modular retrofitting and the establishment of scalable site typologies. These designs integrate residential units with essential social and study areas, allowing for rapid implementation in diverse campus locations without requiring site-specific modification. Initial results indicate that the integration of high-standard units into permanent urban infrastructure secures the long-term economic value of the initial investment, with projections suggesting this model could yield 56.7 billion TL national savings. The research concludes that how circular strategies can transform disaster waste into resilient and permanent social infrastructure, contributing to Türkiye’s 2053 net-zero emissions target.