Reversibility and Durability as Potential Indicators for Circular Building Technologies

Abstract

According to the Circularity Gap Report 2020, a mere 8.6% of the global economy wascircular in 2019. The Global Status Report 2018 declares that building construction and operationsaccounted for 36% of global final energy use and 39% of energy–related carbon dioxide (CO2)emissions. The Paris Agreement demands that the building and construction sector decarbonizesglobally by 2050. This requires strategies that minimize the environmental impact of buildingsand practices extending the lifecycle of their constituents within a circular resource flow. To ensurethat eective measures are applied, a suitable method is needed to assess compliance in materials,processes, and design strategies within circular economy principles. The study’s assumption is thatsynthetic and reliable indicators for that purpose could be based on reversibility and durabilityfeatures. The paper provides an overview of building design issues within the circular economyperspective, highlighting the diculty in finding circular technologies which are suitable to enhancebuildings’ service life while closing material loops. The results identify reversibility and durability aspotential indicators for assessing circular building technologies. The next research stage aims to furtherdevelop the rating of circularity requirements for both building technologies and entire buildings.

Decarbonization and Circular Economy in the Sustainable Development and Renovation of Buildings and Neighbourhoods

“…Ernesto Antonini, Andrea Boeri, Massimo Lauria and Francesca Giglio also studied durability as an indicator for circular technologies, added to the reversibility of such technologies as design for disassembly is one of the principles of the circular design approach [23]. As the authors indicate "no clear definitions are yet available to link these concepts to indicators suitable for measuring Circular Economy and, specifically, Circular Building Technologies", so they discuss whether reversibility and durability may represent suitable indicators in order to promote the circular assessment of construction technologies, providing useful assessment tools to designers to assist their choices early.…”

Selection Criteria for Building Materials and Components in Line with the Circular Economy Principles in the Built Environment—A Review of Current Trends

“…Three approaches have been highlighted and addressed according to the target audience, which are adaptability and service-life extension, waste reduction, and durability. The latter aspect has also been substantiated by several studies as a crucial factor by stressing the need for high-quality and durable materials to transition towards a circular built environment [27][28][29][30][31].These principles can be translated into practice as a better and wiser use of construction materials that are sustainably sourced or recovered, implementing collaboration across the built environment's value chain, and planning the end-of-life scenario of buildings and materials. [22]).…”

Building Circularity Assessment in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry: A New Framework

“…Eberhardt et al made a comparison of allocation approaches to solving the problems of allocating benefits and burdens between systems [39]. Antonini et al studied the indicators of reversibility and durability in the BC assessment [40]. Abadi pointed out a development direction of the BC assessment model, including twelve indicators [41].…”