Research and Development Directions for Design Support Tools for Circular Building

Abstract

To support the construction sector in its transition to a circular economy, many design instruments and decision support tools have been and are still being developed. This development is uncoordinated and raises confusion among building designers and advising engineers, slowing down the tools’ adoption in practice. Moreover, it is unclear if the available design tools are able to fulfil the needs of design professionals at all. Therefore, this research identifies the knowledge challenges for the “supply and demand” of design tools for a circular construction practice. It focuses on Flanders, given the importance the topic receives in the region’s policy programme and among practitioners. This study builds on a thorough literature review, and on inventorying and categorising instruments and ongoing developments. By comparing that review with the needs that were identified during interviews with a focus group, it was possible to pinpoint designers’ needs for support tools and outline three urgent research tracks. More generally, it was found that the needs of our focus group are only partially reflected by the available design tools and the ongoing developments. This identified mismatch advocates for a more participatory and practice-oriented research approach when developing design support tools for circular building.

Circularity in the New Gravity—Re-Thinking Vernacular Architecture and Circularity

“…The study also proposed a theoretical framework to be used as a starting point by designers, researchers, and stakeholders for introducing circular practices in the built environment [3], while Amory [12] developed a framework (guidance tool) for the design of circular buildings, based on the "circular design" and "circular material usage" strategies. Furthermore, Cambier et al [34] presented an overview of the available design tools related to circular design that can be implemented at different stages of the design process. Eberhardt et al [35] conducted life cycle assessment models that compared linear and circular building components, suggesting the potential benefits of the re-use and recycling of building components in the circular approach.…”

“…This is due to differences in policy environments, access to funding, and infrastructure [39]. Cambier et al [34] have also asserted the need for more practical examples, such as case studies and best practices for circular buildings. All of this indicates the importance of providing more studies that investigate CE in the building sector.…”

Sustainable Circular Mobility: User-Integrated Innovation and Specifics of Electric Vehicle Owners

“…It refers to long-life products and considers consumers only in the definitions and in the annex. The authors of [20] which was published one year later, referred to 37 existing building design tools and aimed at identifying 'specific needs of building designers and advising engineers . .…”

Architecture and Engineering: The Challenges—Trends—Achievements

“…However, Cambier et al [13] clearly emphasise the design for circularity. Circulation and the function of the building are concepts from the realm of the circular economy.…”