How did William McDonough apply ecologically intelligent design to buildings and products?

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William McDonough is a prominent figure in green architecture whose work emphasizes "ecologically intelligent design." This approach requires collaboration between architects, scientists, and corporate leaders to analyze the entire "biography" of a product or building—from the extraction of raw materials and manufacturing processes to its eventual use, disposal, or recycling potential.1

McDonough’s application of these principles includes:

Civic and Corporate Projects: He gained recognition for the Environmental Defense Fund Building in New York City, which pioneered energy conservation through the careful selection of interior products and construction technologies. Other notable projects include the Herman Miller factory and offices, the Gap, Inc. corporate offices, and the Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies at Oberlin College.1
Cradle-to-Cradle Design: McDonough’s core philosophy is modeled after nature’s waste-free economy. He advocates for a "cradle-to-cradle" framework where every element used in manufacturing is designed with built-in recycling value, ensuring that materials can be reprocessed indefinitely rather than becoming waste.1