As the curator of East River Pier 35, I've had the privilege of overseeing the transformation of this once-neglected waterfront into a thriving public space. But beneath the calm surface of our bustling esplanade, a more profound philosophy guides our design decisions. We call it "circular return" – a mindset that acknowledges the impermanence of all things and prepares for the eventual deconstruction of our own creations. Our design approach is rooted in the principles of circular economy, which seeks to reduce waste and the continuous consumption of resources. By incorporating deconstruction planning and material reuse into our design, we're able to minimize the environmental impact of our project and create a more sustainable future for our community. One of the key strategies we've employed is the use of modular, recyclable materials in our construction. This not only reduces waste but also allows us to easily disassemble and reuse components when the time comes. We've also implemented a "design for disassembly" approach, which involves creating structures that can be easily taken apart and repurposed, rather than demolished and discarded. But circular return is not just about design – it's also about mindset. It requires us to let go of our attachment to permanence and embrace the impermanence of all things. It's a philosophy that encourages us to think critically about the lifecycle of our creations and to design with the end in mind. As we continue to evolve and grow as a community, our commitment to circular return will remain a guiding principle. We'll continue to push the boundaries of sustainable design and to explore new ways of reducing waste and promoting reuse. And when the time comes for Pier 35 to be reborn, we'll be ready – with a design that's not only beautiful and functional but also circular, sustainable, and prepared for its own eventual return.