All About Circular Construction
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As sustainability practices in construction have continued to become more refined over the years, contractors have become more skilled at "closing the construction loop": finding ways to build better with fewer materials, reducing the footprint of buildings across their lifecycle, and fighting the effect of urban heat islands. These concepts are not new—ESG, decarbonization, and converting materials into new alloys or energy sources are just a few signs of innovation—but together they form a circular construction strategy that is better for business, the environment, and the municipalities they serve. Since construction and demolition of buildings accounts for about one-third of global material consumption and waste, strategies like circular construction are much-needed.
What Are The Benefits of Circular Construction?
Rather than follow the linear construction process of "take-make-waste," wherein resources and used and then disposed of, a circular construction model (also known as circular economy) seeks to keep resources in use for as long as possible to extract maximum value while recovering and regenerating materials at the end of their service life. Rather than dispose of materials, circular construction concepts reuse, share, repair and refurbish materials that may still have value.
There are 11 key advantages to circular construction, and these main points are factors in developers choosing to go a "greener" route in their building processes:
Reduction of carbon footprint
Energy saving
Waste reduction
Improvement of indoor air quality
Durability and longevity
Biodiversity and environmental integration
Comfort and well-being of the occupants
Flexibility and modularity
Aesthetics and innovative design
Economic valuation
Environmental awareness
The benefits of circular construction encompass a range of advantages that promote sustainability and efficiency.
These include a substantial reduction in carbon footprint, thanks to eco-friendly materials and practices, as well as energy saving through efficient design and resource management.
Waste reduction is another key aspect, as the approach prioritizes reusing and recycling materials. Circular construction's focus on sustainability also enhances indoor air quality, contributing to healthier living environments.
Durability and longevity are ensured, resulting in structures that withstand the test of time, biodiversity, and environmental integration are fostered, aligning the construction with its surroundings.
Occupants' comfort and well-being are prioritized, while the flexibility and modularity of circular construction allow for adaptability over time. Aesthetics and innovative design challenge conventional architectural norms, while economic valuation benefits from reduced resource consumption and long-term viability.
Ultimately, circular construction embodies environmental awareness, setting a precedent for conscientious building practices.
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What Are The 7 Principles of Circular Building?
Redesign, reduce, reuse, repair, renovate, recycle and recover.
Circular building operates on three fundamental goals: the eradication of waste and pollution, the facilitation of product and material circulation, and the regeneration of nature and natural resources. These principles translate to a commitment to ecologically conscious business practices. In the realm of construction, the perspective shifts towards treating buildings as repositories of materials and is integrated from the initial planning phases, where careful consideration is given to the eventual disassembly of structures, minimizing both material and labor waste.
What is an Example of Circular Economy in Construction?
Cement kilns perfectly exemplify a circular economy within the construction industry, serving as a viable solution for the secure and sustainable disposal of waste. This presents a valuable alternative to the utilization of fossil fuels which are frequently used in incineration and landfill methods. Moreover, the process of cement production inherently repurposes waste minerals to function as a substitute for raw materials, effectively optimizing material reuse on a broader scale.
Examples of the Circular Process
Frequently in circular processes, a common practice involves maximizing the reuse of products and raw materials to attain the highest level of environmental consciousness and efficiency in production. A notable illustration of this is found in Denmark's circular social housing initiative, where an impressive 90% of the construction materials can be disassembled and resold without losing their value. This Danish project also employs innovative materials such as cork, recycled newspapers, used car tires, and granules, effectively reducing its carbon footprint during construction.
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What Are The Six Steps of the Circular Process?
Interrogate the functionality
Start with the system
Look at the systemic full life cycle and its impacts
Check relationships
Hold yourself accountable
Design for circularity
The six steps of a circular process involve a comprehensive approach to sustainability. First, there's the need to look into functionality, assessing the purpose and effectiveness of a system—starting with a clear understanding is crucial. Next, there's a deep dive into the systemic full lifecycle and its associated impacts is essential to identify potential areas for improvement. This includes checking the relationships between components and their effects on the overall system. Taking accountability for one's actions and decisions within the process becomes a cornerstone of circularity, fostering responsible practices. Lastly, the process should be designed with circularity in mind, considering how materials, resources, and components can be maximally reused and repurposed, which promotes a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach.
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Circular Construction in Action: Portland
In the west, a new non-profit trend is popping up: Organizations known as ReStores are popping up. These businesses are dedicated to repurposing an abundant array of construction and building materials sourced from demolished structures. Within the confines of these ReStores, contractors can find a diverse assortment of unused construction resources, ranging from unused tiles, cabinets, and doors to rolls of wallpaper. These materials, which would otherwise face disposal, are given a new lease on life.
In Portland, Oregon (where Viewpoint is headquartered), approximately 20 to 25% of waste generated in the area originates from construction, demolition, and renovation endeavors. While a portion of these materials might undergo recycling or reuse, a considerable majority find their way into landfills. The emergence of non-profits like ReStore is instrumental in fostering positive change. By repurposing these construction materials, they simultaneously serve the community and the environment. The significance of diverting building products away from landfills becomes apparent as it contributes to the conservation of precious natural resources like wood and metal. This, in turn, diminishes the demand for raw materials and energy. Additionally, the practice of refurbishing older materials often holds the advantage of superior quality and multiple reuse cycles. Beyond the economic benefits, integrating previously used materials instills a distinctive character into new structures that freshly manufactured components simply cannot replicate.
However, the endeavor of repurposing these materials for new projects requires foresight and meticulous planning. The process of salvaging, selling, or donating materials requires time and careful extraction from their original locations, all while maintaining comprehensive records. Naturally, not all materials or furnishings are viable for repurposing. Some older furnishings fall short of meeting modern energy codes in Portland, and items containing asbestos are classified as toxic and are excluded from salvage efforts.
The rapid increase of salvage building material shops is making the task of sourcing necessary items more convenient, and the local network for secondhand construction materials continues to evolve.
Operating under the philosophy of "something old, something new," ReStore is making significant contributions to both the Portland community and the environment. Simultaneously, they're assisting homeowners and construction companies in crafting structures imbued with character and individuality.
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