End-of-life management as a design tool: the case of a dry wood envelope

Abstract

This paper is part of the design strategies of reassembly and reuse of buildings according to the transition to circular economy. Specifically, the paper addresses the issue of architectural envelopes made of drywall and their executive design according to a Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) approach, based on a case study of a temporary wooden housing unit for which there are several scenarios of use and end of life once the first cycle of use of the components of the envelope has come to an end. In particular, the paper, based on the collection of environmental profiles of products through Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), wants to define a balance between the environmental impacts incorporated in the used materials and the benefits related to the adoption of dry construction techniques.

Circularity Indicators as a Design Tool for Design and Construction Strategies in Architecture

“…The key design aspects were modularity, flexibility, and adaptability of the emergency units to different sites, layouts, and conditions. The structural design was carried out in accordance with the criteria of spatial adaptability, structure modularity, and physical interchangeability, better known as DfD [28,37,38].…”

“…A LCA assessment on the modular unit by Palumbo et al [37] showed how the extensive application of reversibility in this design resulted in 89% of the materials being reused or reusable at end-of-life without undergoing transformations. However, deterioration of the material mechanical properties and reworkings due to some irreversible connections amounted to a 4% waste production (due to nails, staples, and screws), and 7% being transformed into alternative forms and made available for other production cycles.…”

“…However, deterioration of the material mechanical properties and reworkings due to some irreversible connections amounted to a 4% waste production (due to nails, staples, and screws), and 7% being transformed into alternative forms and made available for other production cycles. Overall, 96% of the material was reported as not destined for landfill, reducing the impact of disposal at end-of-life [37].…”