The transition towards a circular economy in the built environment requires robust methodologies to evaluate carbon and material flows at the component level. This paper introduces Carbon Flow Analysis (CFA), an innovative approach that integrates Material Flow Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment to facilitate environmental decision- making for façade renovations. CFA systematically maps embodied carbon and material inputs within façade components, offering a transparent assessment of their circularity potential. The study further refines the selection process through a contextualization framework, which contrasts CFA results against environmental performance ranges derived from Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and environmental databanks. Findings demonstrate the variable role of secondary materials in reducing carbon emissions, due to the large variability of impact across materials and components. While CFA provides actionable insights into material selection for façade components, the study highlights the need for standardized circularity indicators and reliable databanks to enhance decision-making in architectural design. By combining quantitative carbon tracking with performance- based contextualization, this research contributes to the development of practical guidelines for achieving carbon-neutral façade renovations.

The construction industry, accounting for a significant portion of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, is pivotal in achieving Europe's ambitious climate neutrality goal by 2050. Circular Economy (CE) principles and the renovation of existing buildings are identified as promising strategies to reduce raw material and energy consumption. However, the lack of knowledge and guidelines for effective CE design and construction in the built environment, along with heterogeneous metrics and standards, pose challenges. The research outlines an investigation study aimed at developing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for evaluating building products based on CE principles, focusing on façade renovation. The study emphasizes the need for a holistic approach, considering both material input and output flows, and introduces qualitative and quantitative KPIs addressing aspects such as recyclability, modularity, and local materials. The research proposes established frameworks like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material Flow Analysis (MFA), and the Level(s) framework, but recognizes their limitations in assessing circularity comprehensively. The methodology involves a comprehensive analysis of material streams and circularity potential for nine components crucial to achieving a net-zero façade renovation. Results from the material flow analysis demonstrate the environmental impact of selected building products, such as insulation panels and photovoltaic panels. The research underscores the importance of informed design choices, leveraging adaptable KPIs, and visualizing resource flows to enhance decision-making for sustainable construction practices aligned with CE principles.