Recyclable Architecture: Prefabricated and Recyclable Typologies

Marielle Ferreira Silva, Laddu Bhagya Jayasinghe, Daniele Waldmann and Florian Hertweck
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Marielle Ferreira Silva: Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, University of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Laddu Bhagya Jayasinghe: Faculty of Science, Technology, and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Daniele Waldmann: Faculty of Science, Technology, and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Florian Hertweck: Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, University of Luxembourg, 4365 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: Buildings are being demolished without taking into the account the waste generated, and the housing shortage problem is getting more critical as cities are growing and the demand for built space and the use of resources are increasing. Architectural projects have been using prefabrication and modular systems to solve these problems. However, there is an absence of structures that can be disassembled and reused when the structure’s life ran its course. This paper presents three building prototypes of new recyclable architectural typologies: (i) a Slab prototype designed as a shelf structure where wooden housing modules can be plugged in and out, (ii) a Tower prototype allowing for an easy change of layout and use of different floors and (iii) a Demountable prototype characterized by the entire demountability of the building. These typologies combine modularity, flexibility, and disassembling to address the increasing demands for multi-use, re-usable and resource-efficient constructions. Design, drawings, plans, and 3D models are developed, tested and analyzed as a part of the research. The results show that the implementation of the recyclable architectural concept at the first design stage is feasible and realistic, and ensures the adaptation through time, increases life span, usability and the material reusability, while avoiding demolition, which in turn reduces the construction waste and, consequently, the CO 2 emissions.

Keywords: recyclable architecture; disassembly; adaptation; prefabrication; modularity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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