-
Artikel
Digitization within the circular built environment
The world is going digital, and the built environment is no exception. Data can reveal how to use building resources more efficiently.
For example, below you can see the picture of an urban mine. This is a database that shows which types of materials are stored in each building. Cities can use this information to plan for circular demolition and construction, using materials from an old building to create a new one. -
Artikel
Circular building hubs
For a successful transition to a circular construction economy, one important challenge is organizing efficient logistics for the processing and reuse of secondary materials. Acting as intelligent storage points for re-usable materials and components, construction hubs could be the answer.
-
Artikel
Circular demolition
Circular demolition is the dismantling, disassembly, and removal of materials in a way that promotes high-value reuse. This article outles a five-step process to boost circular demolition in Amsterdam and elsewhere.
-
Artikel
Biobased renovations
The primary reason to renovate buildings is to improve the quality of the indoor climate, and reduce the environmental impact. This can be extremely effective, as 75% of buildings' CO2 emissions are released during the use phase. However, using non-renewable materials during renovation can be entirely counter-productive.
Check out this article to learn about bio-based materials in renovation, and the obstacles to bio-based innovation:. -
Artikel
Using timber in construction
Timber’s potential to store CO2 makes it an attractive material for sustainable construction, but building with timber is still very new in the Netherlands.
This article explores the potential of using timber in construction and some of the risks, barriers, and pitfalls. -
Artikel
Circular revenue models
How can you create a sustainable and circular business in the built environment?
This article distinguishes eight circular revenue models that offer producers financial incentives to adopt circularity in their products. -
Artikel
Material passports
Materials passports: what do they mean, and why are they so important in the transition to circular construction?
Just as a regular passport provides someone’s personal details, a materials passport provides insight into the identity of a building, its history, components and materials. This breakdown allows the reuse of building materials at their highest value while reducing the associated CO2 emissions.
This article explains materials passports and building information modelling with case studies of @Triodos bank, @Schipol Trade Park, and @Oostletjike Handelskade. -
Artikel
Building with recycled building materials
Reused materials are an important element of circular construction. The more re-used components and recycled materials we use, the fewer virgin materials we need, and the lower our environmental impact. To do so effectively, the supply of reused components and recycled materials should influence the building’s design.
-
Artikel
The environmental impact of building materials: ECI and EPB
To reduce the environmental impact of building processes and materials, we must first measure it.
In this article, we explain two frameworks: the Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) and the Environmental Performance of Buildings (EPB). We also dive into the implications and limitations of both. -
Artikel
Circular design of buildings
To re-use as many components as possible, build with sustainable materials, and reduce the total materials needed, buildings need to be designed differently.
Circular design makes buildings more adaptable and facilitates the high-value reuse of a structure’s products and materials once they have reached the end of their life. This article summarizes the circular design of buildings in eight core principles.