Procedural Passport: A Framework for Circularity In Buildings.

Abstract

Circularity is an emerging topic in sustainability that considers how waste can be reduced through design across multiple life cycles, by recycling, reusing and remanufacturing materials (Chang, Ong, & Nee, 2017). Achieving material circularity with buildings has been identified as a design issue that involves the application of circular design principles, three of which are explored in this research as adaptability, disassembly and reusability (Adams, Osmani, Thorpe, & Thornback, 2017; Geldermans, 2016; Jensen & Sommer, 2018; Medkova & Fifield, 2016; Rios, Chong, & Grau, 2015). The broader aim of this research is to introduce a new concept titled Procedural Passport (PP) that synthesizes relationships between design processes, digital design tools, construction techniques and stakeholder responsibilities (contracts) to implement circularity principles in buildings. To achieve its aim, this research uses various case studies and explorations to investigate the synergy between two components of the procedural passport- design processes and digital tools. Within the scope of this research, the implementation of the three circularity principles are first explored as design processes using two key areas– design for disassembly (DfD) (Rios et al., 2015, p. 1296) and design for adaptability (DfA) (Adams et al., 2017, p. 17). Thereafter, various means of optimizing the design processes are questioned and investigated through the application of digital tools, in order to understand how the three circularity goals can be addressed from a design stage. Through the investigations done, limitations are observed, and further questions are raised to initiate a dialogue within the broader architectural community, on the concept of the Procedural Passport.