Reuse Potential in Architecture

Developing a data-driven approach to implement reused material in architectural circular buildings

Master thesis (2025)

Authors

B.C.M. Ligthart Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

M.J. Smit Building Design & Technology (mentor)
D.S. Swank Teachers of Practice / AE+T - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
P.L. Tomesen Teachers of Practice / AE+T - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
C.H.E. van Ees Education and Student Affairs (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
More Info
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Published Date

15-01-2025

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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.

Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

The construction sector is one of the most resource-intensive industries globally, contributing significantly to environmental degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning towards a circular economy within the built environment offers a promising solution by emphasizing the reuse of building materials. This paper explores the potential of data-driven design methodologies to facilitate the integration of reclaimed materials into new architectural projects. A structured design tool is developed to assess the reuse potential of building materials, incorporating factors such as material quality, disassembly index and lifecycle performance. Through a case study involving materials sourced from the Megastores shopping mall in The Hague, the research demonstrates how data-driven approaches can a guide for deposition decisions of building materials for new circular buildings. Case studies of successful architectural projects like Biopartner 5, K.118, and Resource Rows give insights into design implementation with reclaimed building materials. This study highlights the critical need for architects to adopt innovative design tools and practices to meet sustainability targets while leveraging the untapped value of donor building.