Abstract
This article sheds light on the materialization and operation of residential partitioning wall components in relation to circular and flexible performance. The hypothesis is twofold: (1) A stronger integration of materialization and operation aspects is indispensable in establishing sustainable value-models, and (2) recent innovations, concerning the reversibility of material connections, will help disrupting the status-quo in that respect. Attention is drawn to renewable natural fibre composites (NFC), reversible adhesives, and biodegradable insulation materials. After a background sketch regarding the notion of time, change, and material circularity in design and planning, the housing challenge in the Amsterdam metropolitan area (AMA, the Netherlands) is described. Next, a design conceptualization stage is introduced, informed by two methods and tools in particular: Circ-Flex assessment, and activity-based spatial material flow analysis. Results of the conceptualization stage are presented regarding materialization and operation, culminating in Circ-Flex partitioning components, more specifically: Side panels and insulation. It was found that NFC can tackle current issues relating, most prominently, to circularity performance. Associated modifications in the value-chain occur, above all, in raw material sourcing, manufacturing, reutilization logistics, and data-sharing. The outcomes are valid for multiple building components other than indoor partitioning, such as kitchens and furniture, but also insulation—and interior side-sheeting—of walls and roofs in energy-renovations.
Highlights
This article departs from adaptability and flexibility as indicators of housing-quality, with respect to changing needs and requirements of the end-user
Circularity of associated parts-building components, materials, and raw materials-needs to be respected at all times. Those parts can not be seen in isolation but always in relation to provenance and destination, underscoring the relevance of value chains and the distribution of control
The focus has been on products that may radically alter value chains, but not so much the interaction with users and contractors
Summary
This article departs from adaptability and flexibility as indicators of housing-quality, with respect to changing needs and requirements of the end-user. This relates to multi-family building structures that accommodate virtually endless flexibility in the individual home-unit infill. This notion has been adopted in architectural design and development, it has not delivered the anticipated practical, large scale results [1,2]. Alexander’s ‘timeless way’ accommodates a quality is essential life andliving, living,but but can can only only be described by its surrounding and constituent characteristics.Alexander.
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