Short answer
Integrate circular economy strategies, including design for disassembly, modularity, and material passports, into the early stages of building services design to facilitate reuse, repair, and recycling.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Building Services Engineering Research and Technology (2024)
- Method
- Systematic Literature Review
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Applying circular economy principles to building services, such as HVAC and electrical systems, is currently underdeveloped despite their significant environmental impact and cost. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2024 study published in Building Services Engineering Research and Technology. Using Systematic literature review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate circular economy strategies, including design for disassembly, modularity, and material passports, into the early stages of building services design to facilitate reuse, repair, and recycling.
Circular Economy Principles are Nascent in Building Services Design
Applying circular economy principles to building services, such as HVAC and electrical systems, is currently underdeveloped despite their significant environmental impact and cost.
Building Services Engineering Research and Technology · 2024
Key Findings
- 01Application of circular economy in building services is nascent.
- 02Significant technical, economic, legislative, and organisational barriers exist.
- 03Numerous opportunities for circularity are present.
- 04Six key stakeholder groups influence circularity adoption.
- 05A framework integrating design, business models, policy, and technology can advance circular building services.
Application
Design takeaway
Integrate circular economy strategies, including design for disassembly, modularity, and material passports, into the early stages of building services design to facilitate reuse, repair, and recycling.
How to apply
When designing building services, actively research and incorporate strategies for modularity, ease of maintenance, and eventual disassembly and material recovery. Explore partnerships with manufacturers and service providers to enable take-back schemes or refurbishment programs.
Project actions
- 01When designing a building service, think about how its parts can be reused or recycled at the end of its life.
- 02Research different business models that could support circularity, like renting equipment instead of selling it.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive systematic review methodology.
- +Development of a practical framework for advancing circular building services.
Limitations
It can be challenging to find readily available data on the end-of-life pathways for many building service components.
Reliability & validity
The reliability and validity of this systematic review depend on the comprehensiveness of the literature search and the rigor of the synthesis process. Potential biases in the included studies could affect the findings.
Think critically
Given the complexity and rapid technological evolution of building services, how can circular economy principles be effectively implemented without hindering innovation or compromising performance and safety?
Design Principles
"Design building services for a circular economy by prioritizing longevity, adaptability, and end-of-life recovery."
This insight highlights a critical gap in sustainable design practices. By focusing on building services, designers and engineers can unlock substantial opportunities for resource efficiency and waste reduction, moving beyond traditional material-focused sustainability efforts.
What This Means for Your Design
It's hard to make building services (like heating, cooling, and electricity systems) circular right now, but there are ways to make them more sustainable by thinking about reuse and recycling.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the inclusion of circular design strategies for building services in your design project, highlighting the current gaps and potential benefits.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The application of circular economy principles within building services is currently nascent, presenting significant barriers related to technical, economic, legislative, and organisational factors. However, opportunities exist, and a strategic framework encompassing design, business models, policy, and technology is crucial for advancing circular building services and reducing their environmental footprint.
Source
Building Services Engineering Research and Technology
Closing the loop in building services: A systematic review of circular economy applications
journal · 2024
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about circular economy principles are nascent in building services design?
- Integrate circular economy strategies, including design for disassembly, modularity, and material passports, into the early stages of building services design to facilitate reuse, repair, and recycling. Evidence: Building Services Engineering Research and Technology (2024).
- Why does "Circular Economy Principles are Nascent in Building Services Design" matter for design?
- This insight highlights a critical gap in sustainable design practices. By focusing on building services, designers and engineers can unlock substantial opportunities for resource efficiency and waste reduction, moving beyond traditional material-focused sustainability efforts.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Integrate circular economy strategies, including design for disassembly, modularity, and material passports, into the early stages of building services design to facilitate reuse, repair, and recycling.
- What were the main findings?
- Application of circular economy in building services is nascent.. Significant technical, economic, legislative, and organisational barriers exist.. Numerous opportunities for circularity are present.. Six key stakeholder groups influence circularity adoption.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic Literature Review.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2024 journal from Building Services Engineering Research and Technology.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing building services, actively research and incorporate strategies for modularity, ease of maintenance, and eventual disassembly and material recovery. Explore partnerships with manufacturers and service providers to enable take-back schemes or refurbishment programs.
- What are the limitations?
- The review is based on existing literature, which may not fully capture all real-world applications or emerging trends. The nascent stage of the field means research is still developing.