Design for Adaptability (DfA)—Frameworks and Assessment Models for Enhanced Circularity in Buildings

Abstract

A growing interest has been expressed in the issue of building adaptability over the past decade, perceiving it as an intrinsic criterion for sustainability. In light of the circular economy (CE) and its application in the construction sector, more attention has been paid to buildings’ design for adaptability (DfA) towards the realization of circular buildings. DfA is considered a key enabler for other circular design strategies such as design for disassembly (DfD), multi-functionality, spatial transformability, and design reversibility. However, implementation and assessment frameworks, and design-support tools for the circular building, are still in development as the characterization of circular buildings continues with endeavors to draw a defined shape by identifying the prerequisites for circularity where the design takes an important place. For the sake of objectifying the role of DfA in circularity frameworks in buildings, this paper carries out an analytical review and discussion on two types of assessment and design-support frameworks; the first addresses adaptability criteria and considerations in assessment frameworks that handle the concept individually while the second classifies existing circularity assessment endeavors into four main categories under which multiple tools are reviewed. A reflection on the scope and objectives for both types is later performed, illustrating the state of adaptability evaluation and criteria as well as its role in circularity frameworks. Results show that the concept of building adaptability lacks quantitative methods that quantify a building’s capacity to adapt as well as empirical data that prioritize the most valuable criteria facilitating adaptations. Moreover, many circularity assessment frameworks fail to consider adaptability criteria at all hierarchal levels of a building composition. To address this shortcoming, a series of conceptual considerations and requirements is proposed towards a potential establishment of an inclusive framework of a circularity design-support tool in buildings. The study is concluded by identifying gaps and recommendations for further developments in the field.

Circular building adaptability in multi-residential buildings – the status quo and a conceptual design framework

“…Design tools, frameworks and assessment methods have been developed to support CBD (Askar et al ., 2022). These tools and frameworks often emphasise the importance of design for adaptability to achieve circularity (Askar et al ., 2021).…”

“…Despite the available design strategies and apparent advantages of adaptability, successful implementation of adaptable housing design is rare (Tarpio et al, 2021). This is due to barriers, such as the lack of economic incentives (Schmidt and Austin, 2016), technical solutions (Cellucci and Sivo, 2014), practical guidelines and design tools (Askar et al, 2022), and regulatory support (Giorgi et al, 2022). The renowned interest in adaptability as an important principle for achieving circularity in the built environment (Askar et al, 2021) might facilitate opportunities to overcome the barriers.…”

Life Cycle Cost in Circular Economy of Buildings by Applying Building Information Modeling (BIM): A State of the Art

“…Designing buildings under the principles of CE significantly emphasises the end-of-life phase of the building's materials and components [45]. Multiple design strategies exist in the literature to aid with implementing CE.…”

Adaptability in healthcare buildings: a perspective through Joseph Bracops Hospital

“…The growing interest in building adaptability has been reviewed by Heidrich et al, who provided an overview of the research works conducted between 1990 and 2017 focusing on the meaning of building adaptability and its diverse uses, on a list of the different adaptability strategies and a review of theories and models ( 15 ); by Pinder et al, who explored the controversial definition of adaptability from the practitioners' point of view through a set of interviews with architects, engineers, developers etc. ( 10 ); by Rockow et al, who realized a comprehensive review of available models ( 11 ); by Askar et al, who highlighted the link between the concept of Design for Adaptability (DfA) and circular building strategies through an analysis of adaptability and circularity assessment models ( 16 ); and finally by Hamida et al, who conducted an integrative literature review to understand circular building adaptability ( 17 ).…”