An Integrated Solution for increased Circularity in Buidings: A Method

Abstract

The transformation from a linear to a circular economy remains very slow worldwide. The abundance of materials measured in billions of tonnes is transferred annually within the economy, with minimal materials being cycled back. The construction sector uses approximately half of the materials extracted while generating a third or more of all waste. The current circular potential in the construction industry is yet to be exploited. This paper addresses the issue of materials embedded in buildings and the possibility of their reversible capacities. This paper aims to develop a systemic methodological framework on how to create, collect, process and present data that could facilitate the improvement of a more efficient recovery process of embedded building materials, especially their reuse and high-quality recycling during the renovation and demolition processes. The proposed framework defines a methodological approach for developing an interactive digital solution, a digital map, to increase circularity in a built environment by integrating spatial data and building information models (BIMs). To this end, a four-step methodological approach is introduced: (1) development of BIMs for the existing building stock; (2) allocation of material inventory data to BIMs; (3) calculation of circular economy indicators; and (4) digital solution integration into 3D Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This map may facilitate maximising the circular potential of buildings, support data transparency and broaden accessibility to a broad spectrum of market participants. It could be imbued with tools such as a digital building logbook with which it could share data.