Circular Demolition and Component Reuse in Construction

The Current Building Stock as a Source of Components for New Buildings

Master thesis (2018)

Authors

L. Gremmen Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

John L. Heintz (mentor)
Ellen van Bueren (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2018 Luuk Gremmen
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Published Date

06-07-2018

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

Circular building has been increasing in popularity over several years. The idea being that we should not use resources only once and then discard them, but continue using them in new products. The construction industry has responded to this by designing 'circular' buildings that can be disassembled at the end of their functional life. This leaves the question open of what to do with the current buildings stock. Since the building stock only grows with approximately 1% a year, the lion's share of buildings that will be demolished in the next 50 years has already been built. This research explores five cases that are trying to solve this issue in different ways. The case studies are used as a basis to identify drivers, barriers, and opportunities for circular demolition and component reuse. The main drivers are environmental, societal, and behavioural in nature. Whereas the main barriers are economic, behavioural, and governmental. Opportunities for entrepreneurs and governments have been identified to overcome these barriers.