Rounding the corner of construction by implementing circular economy: developing a process model for construction using reused materials and enhancing it with advanced technologies

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master_Bolboli_Shiva_2024.pdf (6.05 MB)

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School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Master's thesis
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2024-11-18

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Architecture

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Master’s programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architec

Language

en

Pages

90

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Abstract

During the last decade, the amount of demolition and renovation (D&R) waste disposed in the landfills has increased, especially in developed cities, because of the population increase. The amount of raw material extracted for use in the built environment is more than 50 billion tons. It is also estimated that construction is responsible for one-third of the overall waste in the world and 40% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions (Miller N., 2021). The construction industry environmental impact is increasingly noticeable due to the linear process it follows. According to the research, circular economy knowledge could reduce global CO2 emissions from building materials by 38% in 2050 by reducing demand for some materials (Ellen Macarthur Foundation, 2022). Reports and articles have provided guidelines and road maps for specific steps in real cases of circular construction. However, they do not provide a big-picture overview of the strategy of reusing building materials during building construction. This research is a practical exploration of the circular economy, viewing the valuable resources of building and not the Earth as the resource for excavation. It examines how materials can be reused in the real-life construction chain, offering a practical model for construction with reused materials. With the aim of motivating rethinking future designs, this model integrates a process map, a timeline, and a workflow. It is designed to provide tangible benefits to individuals in the construction field, companies, and architects, offering a clear and applicable solution to the issue of D&R waste. Moreover, the use of digital tools at various stages of the value chain, as discussed in this study, can unlock the full potential of a circular built environment. These tools can significantly enhance individual tasks in each step of the process map by optimizing resource management, improving data flow, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Rethinking the business model is necessary for streamlining processes and tools involved, and for enabling and scaling reuse practices in upcoming projects. Finally, with the proper support from local authorities, industry professionals, and technological advancements, circular construction can become a viable and sustainable standard in the building industry.

Description

Supervisor

Kuittinen, Matti

Thesis advisor

Nyholm, Charlotte

Keywords

circular economy, circular buildings, material reuse, reuse process mapping, digital tools for circularity, circular business model, kiertotalousrakennus, uudelleenkäytön prosessikartoitus, digitaaliset työkalut kiertotalouteen, kiertotalouden liiketoimintamalli

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202412177971

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[master] Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / ARTS