Circular, biomimicry-based, and energy-efficient façade development for renovating terraced dwellings in the Netherlands

Abstract

Many studies concerning lowering the Operational Energy (OE) of existing dwellings have been conducted. However, those studies barely cover its collateral Embodied Energy (EE). As the Circular Economy is gaining momentum and the balance between OE and EE is shifting, the Life Cycle Energy Performance (LCEP) is becoming increasingly relevant as an indicator. LCEP accounts for all the OE and EE a building consumes during its lifespan. However, clear insights into the LCEP are still to be investigated. This study focuses on developing a circular and energy-efficient renovation solution for a common terraced dwelling typology in the Netherlands. The energy-efficient renovation is based on three circular strategies: Biomimicry, Urban Mining, and Design for Disassembly (DfD), covering the aspects of EE and future reuse of building materials and components. The developed renovation solution reduces 82% of the LCEP compared to the existing scenario. With additional photovoltaic (PV) modules, the dwelling reduces 100% of the LCEP. Applying biomimicry, urban mining, and DfD-based renovation can significantly lower the overall LCEP and its collateral environmental impacts to achieve a Life Cycle Zero Energy circular renovation.

Assessing the circular re-design of prefabricated building envelope elements for carbon neutral renovation

“…This is especially relevant for components that age more rapidly than parts they interface with or that improve faster, for example, due to higher innovation clock speeds, leading to an opportunity for modular upgrades of the system. As indicated by previous studies, the two most prominent indicators to take into consideration are the design for disassembly index and embodied carbon to subsequently assess the potential to replace, reclaim, and reuse valuable construction materials and reduce the overall environmental footprint (Juaristi et al, 2022;Bitar et al, 2022).…”

“…In line with the definition of Hammond & Jones (2011) and following the same methodological approach as Bitar et al, (2022), the embodied carbon will be calculated through a cradle-to-gate assessment.…”

“…To improve the level of circularity of existing prefabricated building envelope elements, a design science approach was followed that encompasses a reflective design and analysis process consisting of succeeding stages and feedback loops (Roggema, 2016;Sipahi & Kulozu-Uzunboy, 2021;Bitar et al, 2022). The basic stages of the process are followed under the guidance of eco-design strategies, methods, and tools.…”

“…Because of this potential, prefab construction products such as prefabricated building envelope elements have gained growing interest in both science and industry. Bitar, Bergmans & Ritzen (2022) emphasized in their study that assessing Life Cycle Energy Performance (LCEP) is becoming increasingly relevant, accounting for all the operational and embodied carbon exposure during the entire lifespan of a building. Their key finding was that a substantial LCEP is possible close to 100% for a zero-energy building retrofit with circular prefabricated building elements.…”

“…For example, it has been found that applying DfD strategies to facilitate material reuse can lead to increased initial impact due to greater energy and resource consumption (Roberts et al, 2023). Bitar et al, (2022) emphasized that future research should address the trade-off between embodied carbon and DfD. This particularly calls for empirical studies validating 'systemic' frameworks assessing circularity in the construction industry (Attia and Al-Obaidy, 2021;Lam et al, 2022).…”