Design for adaptability: A first step in developing strategies to extend the lifetime of wood buildings and wood building products

Abstract

The construction industry’s operation based on the linear economy of take, make, dispose, has generated detrimental amounts of waste, and salvaged materials such as wood are generally disregarded for their reusability. Demolition and production of concrete have been one of the leading contributors to climate change due to its high levels of energy consumption, natural resource consumption, and global CO2 emissions. This research aims to evaluate design concepts of design for adaptability as a means for extending the lifetimes of wood buildings and wood building prod- ucts by examining the principles provided in ISO 20887, the cascading potential of wood material products, and the literature on building lifetimes.

A literature review was conducted on building lifetimes, which included reasons for demolition and common patterns for obsolescence. Design for adaptability and disassembly and the reusability of salvaged wood in material loops were evaluated in connection to prolonging building and building product lifetime and avoiding demolition.

The main findings were that buildings become obsolete based on their function or lack of accommodations for anticipated functions, demographics, and building type and design for adaptability can extend the lifetime of buildings and their prod- ucts. Additionally, design for adaptability and disassembly costs in labor can be off- set if a market exists for the salvaged materials. Finally, the research found that a standardized implementation for timber in the ISO 20887 is lacking, as well as a universally agreed upon definition of salvaged wood. Other useful points in aiding the implementation of DfA and salvaged wood into standard construction practice is that there is not a database or inventory of salvaged materials on a centralized level.