If the Netherlands wants to achieve its goal of being completely circular by 2050 (Berkel, Delahaye, & Faasdreef, 2019), radical solutions must take place. Implementing a circular economy is a challenge, but it proves to be significant given the rate at which resources are being consumed. Designing is one of the most important tasks to achieve the circular agenda. Highlighted by Augusto, Ribeiro and Hotza “considering that design process determines 80% of the environmental impact generate by a product or service, it is important to develop production processes able to support companies in the development of environmentally friendly products or services in a fast, reliable and pragmatic manner” (Augusto, Ribeiro, & Hotza, 2019). The design process has a significant weight in the repercussions a project might have in the environment. Even though such design only refers to the architectonic or product design, the current research takes it a step further and also envisions strategic design. Reverse logistics is a vital component of the circular economy, as it would solve major loopholes and answer the questions that are currently being asked. Understanding the market and having a clearer picture of the behaviour of the materials is vital to assess the current situation and the solutions to be proposed. As mentioned by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, “thinking of systems” (Ellen MacArtur, 2017) is one of the pillars of circularity, which is what reverse logistics might address. The current research analyses the existing conditions, applied to a specific product, and then proposes a product and strategy redesign to facilitate a reverse logistics process. The general objective is to develop a framework that is useful to analyse current construction practices and that also helps identifying possible solutions, both at product and system level, facilitating the implementation of reverse logistics in the façade industry. At the end, a framework that organizes RL is proposed as well as a theoretical basis for DfRL, Design for Reverse Logistics, considering the steps needed to facilitate RL. An application of both formats is performed in a specific case, the CITG building facade panel, and an eventual design exercise is made. Universal panel solutions are proposed, a configuration that will allow interchangeability between products.

Over the years, the extraction and consumption of raw materials have increased radically, with a 60% increase since 1980. About one-fifth of the material extracted worldwide ends up as waste, corresponding to 12 billion tonnes (Gt) of waste per year. To tackle the increasing consumption and waste in the economy, the Netherlands government introduced the ‘Circular Netherlands in 2050’ plan in 2016, aiming to reduce 50% consumption of primary resources by 2030 and 100% by 2050. As a result, 95% of the secondary materials from the end-of-service-life demolition process of commercial and non-residential buildings in the Netherlands are recycled. However, comparing different R-option on an R-hierarchy model shows a gradual decrease in value retention of the material with recycling. The research focuses on shifting the facade industry from recycling to reuse by moving up the ladder to retain a higher material value. The thesis explores the research question through design research to support the strategic design and development for reusing secondary materials. Two cases, ODS Jansen and Buurman, are analyzed for their secondary material flow of steel and timber, respectively, through interviews and inventory analysis. A reuse process is systemized and further elaborated on stakeholders’ role (what, how, and when) to support it. A set of design explorations for facades is done to identify potential scenarios for reuse, considering the functional and technical factors that define office building facades in the Netherlands. The proposed hybrid system using the primary and secondary material stream is compared to an alternate non-reuse scenario. The assessment presented a 60% restorative material flow with the MCI score and a saving of 91% for embodied energy (renewable and non-renewable) and 93% for Global Warming Potential with LCIA with reuse of steel mullions in the curtain wall facade. The research concludes that the reuse of materials for the same function is feasible through R-strategies of direct reuse, repair, refurbish, and remanufacture as long as the embodied value of the material does not change. Furthermore, it is essential to match the demand and supply of secondary materials for establishing the reuse practice at an industrial scale. For this, original material suppliers must take up the role of material resellers in the market. At the same time, manufacturers and architects need to shift their mindset from the use of abundant to ‘scarce’ resources by altering the design process with the three stages of material sourcing, material processing, and material reuse. Sufficient safety margins in design, material inspectors to overcome lack of information, working with the form of supply, changing design habits, and using materials differently are proposed as design solutions to organize the reuse of materials for facades. Lastly, when the existing materials decline, reuse will happen through materials entering the market now. It is essential to consider their design for future reuse to ensure this flow does not face the same set of challenges.

Office buildings in the Netherlands are problematic. These buildings are often monofunctional and of low architectural value resulting in an average lifespan of only 30 years! The tradition of demolition and new construction of mediocre buildings is harmful for public space and a waste of money, time, and moreover, building materials. This project explores the architectural possibilities of transforming a typical Dutch office building, the extension of the Palace of Justice in Arnhem, centered around a circular material strategy. In this circular material strategy the existing materials are reused, remade and recycled into the design of the transformation to reduce the environmental impact and reconsider our take-make-waste tradition. The design transforms the current, monofunctional and low-value extension of the Palace of Justice into a qualitative and flexible structure. By removing the two eastern building parts an urban passage is created allowing the building to position itself strongly into the urban fabric and simultaneously clarifying the hierarchy inside the building. Covering the space in between the rear wings, enlarging the façade openings and creating a central atrium provide the building with the much needed architectural quality and help define a strong and flexible basis. The far-reaching reuse of building materials in the design, focused especially on the reuse of concrete, results in a CO2 reduction of 85% when compared to new construction of a similar building. Hereby, the projects shows it is worthwhile reconsidering low-value office buildings from both the architectural and sustainability perspective. The circular strategy, with the related large environmental benefits, is an example of how we should approach building materials and never throw them away without second thoughts. By doing this, the project is an exemplary case study of how the architect can contribute to the circular transition and ultimately to a more sustainable world.

Current issues such as climate change or scarcity of resources, among others, make general business market and in this case, Lidl supermarket Netherlands continue searching and improving its commercial operations and services around circular economy principles (CE). However, CE carries several social limitations that this thesis is planned to solve through exploring social circular economy solutions (SCE) and synergistic potential of urban metabolism. Moreover, the influence of United Nations (through Sustainable Development Goals) and its objective to focus on the improvement of social conditions is important for the sustainable progress and social living conditions of degraded areas such as Spangen, the selected case study.

This research concentrates on creating wellbeing by performance; behaviour and technical performance of materials and products in office buildings. This research is focused on the case study conducted at; the headquarter of a bank in the Netherlands, whereby the building users are criticizing the indoor comfort. Moreover, the building materials are end-of-life and the building is using a large amount of energy. The following research question is answered: ‘How can the indoor comfort be improved in a circular way, by creating an optimal floorplan including the interior and technical aspects for, the case study, one pilot floor of the headquarter of a bank in the Netherlands, while taking the energy consumption into account?’ Within this study different research methodologies are applied. The first research method is literature study and reference projects to gather knowledge about the indoor comfort with the following possible stressors; indoor air quality, thermal comfort, light and visual quality and acoustic comfort and circularity within the building environment. This information is derived from the Dutch regulations, certification rating systems, the case study and articles with the same theme. The literature study and reference projects are analysed to draw up criteria which the measurements and the design of the floorplan must meet. The second research method is material analyses to identify the materials and products which are used in the interior of the case study and how they can be improved to contribute to the indoor comfort, circularity and energy efficiency. The third research method is analysing the existing survey conducted in 2019 by the company Leesman. Analysing this survey can profile the building users and rate the satisfaction level of their workplace, activities, and facilities. The last research method is analysing the performed measurements. To study the current situation of the case study by testing the indoor comfort stressors on the criteria prepared with literature study and reference projects. These measurements are performed with 24 GreenMe cubes which records the indoor comfort values every ten minutes for three weeks, which resulted in 3024 measurement points within ten categories of the indoor comfort stressors. The research results are translated into a circular and indoor comfort framework and floorplan design including the interior and technical aspects. The analyses results show that it is desired to renovate the headquarter of the bank in the Netherlands. This conclusion is based on the following results of this study, first of all most of the materials and products are not demountable. Therefore it cannot be cleaned well and it pollutes the air. Moreover, it is not fully circular when only the materials are obtained sustainable, but cannot be reused or remanufactured after its first lifecycle, when they are not demountable or additives are added. Secondly, the building users are not satisfied with the indoor comfort within the headquarter of the bank. According to the satisfaction and importance level of the indoor comfort stressors. The indoor air was rated with 28,6% satisfaction and 71% importance, thermal comfort with 19,1% satisfaction and 80,7% importance and acoustic comfort with 13,9% satisfaction and 75,1% importance. These results show a low satisfaction level, while the building users rated these facilities as very important. Furthermore, the measurements results show that the indoor comfort stressors exceed the permitted values during office hours. The carbon dioxide concentration is measured 1,7% above 800 ppm, total volatile organic compounds is measured 0% above 120 ppm. In addition, the temperature under 20°C and above 24°C is measured 10,5% and the relative humidity under 30% and above 70% is measured 14,6%. Moreover, the light level under 500 lux is measured 72,2% and flicker light under 0Hz and above 50Hz is measured 2,6%. Lastly, the average background sound level above 57dB is measured 2% and average installation sound level above 35dB is 0%. These values needs to be improved according the program of requirements of the case study. The analyses emphasize the importance of the renovation of the case study. Measures are recommended to improve these values. The measures have been compiled on the basis of the circular and indoor comfort framework and the developed ‘Circular Indoor Comfort Step Strategy’. This strategy is as follows: 1) Improving the source 2) Improving situation without energy 3) Improving situation with renewable energy 4) Improving processes The measures are categorized in interior aspects, improving the building users activities, and technical aspects, improving the indoor comfort stressors. Every measure contributes to the environment and supports the wellbeing of the building users. One of these measures is a green wall, which is mostly composed from raw materials from biological cycles and contributes to the mental state of the building users. Moreover, it improves the indoor air by filtering the air, thermal comfort by increasing the relative humidity, and the acoustic comfort by absorbing background sound. This product is sold as ‘product as a service’, whereas the producer keeps the responsibility and reuse every part after its first lifecycle to new products with the existing raw materials. This research shows that a big difference can be made by performing small interventions to maintain the current situation and increase the existing value. Moreover, these interventions have a positive influence on the satisfaction level of the building users, meeting the Dutch and the bank’s regulations and rating certificates to renovate and create a healthy circular headquarter.

In de huidige maatschappij worden producten na hun levensduur als afval gezien. Er wordt met een zodanig hoge snelheid een grote hoeveelheid afval geproduceerd dat dit niet op een natuurlijke manier verwerkt kan worden. Dit resulteert in mogelijke schade voor het milieu en de gezondheid van mensen. Deze situatie vraagt om een nieuwe benadering van bouwen en ontwerpen. Afval moet niet meer beschouwd worden als afval, maar als grondstof. Overal waar afval geproduceerd wordt, liggen kansen voor lokaal hergebruik. Om ervoor te zorgen dat resten niet schadelijk zijn voor de stad, moeten naar nieuwe mogelijkheden gekeken worden om met resten om te gaan. Door te streven naar een circulaire economie kan hergebruik gestimuleerd worden. Ontwerpers kunnen een belangrijke rol spelen bij een transitie van een lineaire naar een circulaire economie. Nu hergebruik een steeds belangrijkere rol begint te spelen, wordt er gezocht naar mogelijkheden om kringlopen te sluiten en een circulaire economie te stimuleren. Hierbij zijn voornamelijk technische vraagstukken in het geding waarbij het doel is om vraag en aanbod van bijvoorbeeld warmte of elektriciteit op elkaar af te stemmen. Voor ontwerpers komen technische vraagstukken in een ander kader te staan. De transitie van een lineaire naar een circulaire economie vraagt om nieuwe werkwijzen. Om uiteindelijk een ontwerp te kunnen maken dat gebaseerd is op een circulaire economie wordt in deze scriptie een stappenplan aangedragen. Als onderdeel hiervan is een tool ontwikkeld waarmee reststromen met behulp van een tool in kaart gebracht worden, zodanig dat deze hergebruikt kunnen worden in een ontwerp. Het ontwerp dat voortvloeit uit deze scriptie moet aantonen dat het mogelijk is om een ontwerp te maken dat gebaseerd is op restproducten. Het doel van het ontwerp is om reststromen en -producten van verschillende functies met elkaar in verbinding te brengen, zodat de discrepantie tussen vraag en aanbod opgeheven kan worden. Om bewustwording van de mogelijkheden van hergebruik te stimuleren zal het te ontwerpen gebouw een publieke functie krijgen, die afhankelijk is van het soort resten dat uit de directe omgeving beschikbaar is. De tool die in deze scriptie is ontworpen dient als hulpmiddel om uiteindelijk ontwerpvoorwaarden te formuleren voor het te ontwerpen gebouw. Vanuit meerdere mogelijkheden die op de locatie geboden worden voor een ontwerp, is de volgende ontwerpopgave geformuleerd: Het creëren van een tweedehands materialenmarkt waarbij de lokale bevolking de materialen kan gebruiken om eigen initiatieven in de openbare ruimte te ontwikkelen. Door het aangedragen stappenplan te volgen kon worden aangetoond dat vanuit het stedelijk metabolisme ontwerpvoorwaarden voor een gebouw geformuleerd kunnen worden. Hierbij wordt gebruik gemaakt van restproducten uit de omgeving die anders als afval gezien zouden worden. Voor het te ontwerpen gebouw vormen deze restproducten nieuwe mogelijkheden om de omgeving te verbeteren. Op deze manier dienen de restproducten weer als grondstof en is van afval geen sprake. Door de materialen binnen gesloten kringlopen te houden zal de stad op deze locatie meer functioneren als een natuurlijk ecosysteem. Het beoogde ontwerp maakt van de restproducten iets positiefs waar de omgeving van kan profiteren. Door op meerdere plaatsen in de stad naar synergieën te zoeken, waarmee restproducten een nieuw doel kunnen dienen, kan de hele stad minder afhankelijk worden van import van materiaal.

The overall aim of this research is to review existing facades produced by a leading façade manufacturer and develop new systems corresponding with the company’s main product features and improved for Circular Economic performance by applying the principles of Design for Disassembly. The study is based on a literature research about the Circular Economy, Design for Disassembly and relevant assessment systems for the two terms. Existing projects are reviewed and the findings translated into guidelines for future façade developments. With the guidelines in mind two new systems are developed and rated for their performance on Circularity and Disassembly. The first part of the paper examines the current status of the existing facades for Circularity and Disassembly potential. The second part provides evidence that the adoption of the guidelines can lead to better performances, either incremental by applying limited changes as per produced guideline or more substantial by redesign. For practitioners working on innovative façade systems in the realm of the circular economy this paper provides basic guidelines for designing and rating their concepts. This paper reviews a specialist product on its potential for Circularity and Disassembly, aspects currently gaining in importance.

The goal of this project is to design a high-quality circular housing complex. The challenge lies in finding a balance between creating a circular and high-quality result and making it as cost-effective as possible. Circularity in this design will focus on using prefabricated timber modules that are designed for disassembly. It also entails the circular use of other resources such as energy and water. High-quality in this context stands for a space that aesthetically and socially is pleasant and lively for the inhabitants. Prefabrication of timber has the potential to create high-quality results in a safer work environment, faster and with lower costs. Timber building products can be categorised in the following prefabrication levels: component, panel and module. Modules are at the last level of completion, and they can comprise a room finished up to 95% until it is moved to the site.

The building industry accounts for almost 40% of the total carbon emissions that are directly responsible for climate change. The buildings are now deploying energy-efficient solutions to lower carbon emissions from the operational phase. This adversely affects the share of embodied carbon emissions of building materials. The graduation thesis aims to study and compare the life cycle impact of different materials in building applications. The life cycle assessment method was adapted using certain assumptions to account for circular design approaches. End-of-life scenarios for all the materials were formed and compared using the assessment method. The analysis of materials in different building applications presented a significant difference between bio-based materials and other conventional materials such as steel, aluminium, and concrete. A reduction of almost 120% in the total carbon emissions of the studied building was estimated when bio-based materials were used over the existing materials. The proposed materials, along with energy recovery potential at their end-of-life, even showed the potential to achieve a carbon negative structural system. The proposed scenario of using bio-based material solutions in a building with a longer life span displayed better potential than a circular building construction. The role of biomass in mitigating climate change was thus highlighted.