Application of the principles of the circular economy framework to prefabricated buildings

Prefab rooms under construction in a factory.

Overview

The linear economy is contributing to resource shortage, waste production and a number of other social and economic issues. Opposed to the Linear Economy, the interest towards the Circular Economy (CE) is consistently increasing. From a literature review of CE and how it was successfully applied to different industries, seven strategies can be distilled on how to create a circular industry. In identifying the building industry as the main single waste producer, the seven strategies are theoretically applied to buildings, exploring opportunities and barriers towards the circularity of the two main building technologies: traditional and prefabricated buildings.

Key outcomes

In this research, from a literature review, the 3Rs principle was applied to buildings. This qualitative study of the CE and its feasibility on the construction industry and the seven strategies put the basis on a quantitative research, applying some of the CE tools to case studies:

  • Life Cycle Assessment: To evaluate which materials or processes imply the greater environmental impact in terms of CO2 emissions.
  • Material Flow Accounting: Allows an improved design for disassembly.

Research team

  • Roberto Minunno
  • Timothy O’Grady
  • Gregory M. Morrison
  • Richard L. Grune
  • Michael Colling

Research partners and collaborators

  • Curtin University
  • Fleetwood