Build to Be Back
Exploring remountable construction on Dutch University Campuses
L.J. Kamphuis (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
A. Straub – Mentor (TU Delft - Design & Construction Management)
A.C. den Heijer – Mentor (TU Delft - Real Estate Management)
N. Katsikis – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Urban Design)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
As the construction sector remains a major contributor to global emissions and resource depletion, academics, governments and worldwide industries urge for a shift from a linear to a circular economy. Circular strategies such as standardization and demountability are increasingly promoted. However, remountability, the purposeful disassembly, reassembly and reuse of building components into new contexts, remains an underexplored yet critical component of circular reuse. This research investigates how Dutch universities can integrate remountability into the construction processes of their campus buildings, given their long-term spatial commitments, public role and frontrunning ambitions in sustainable innovation.
This exploratory study combines multiple qualitative methods. A literature review, semi-structured interviews and case studies of three university projects are used to identify key strategies, enabling and inhibiting factors and contextual considerations. An expert panel assembled for a validation of the propositions . The findings demonstrate that operational strategies, such as digital documentation, flexible planning, and early contractor involvement, are central to efficient remountable construction. Additionally, cultural and organisational mindset shifts are revealed as crucial conditions for implementation. Based on these insights, the research proposes a process model and a potential analysis to guide and inspire the
integration of remountability in Dutch university campus developments.
The outcomes contribute to both academic understanding and practical application of remountability in construction, offering universities a structured yet adaptable framework to lead in the transition toward circular construction practices.