Circular design

• Use the potential of existing building structures.
  Include:
  • the possibility of using the existing supporting structure;
  • the possibility of using materials and elements of the building (e.g., floor elements, bricks).
• Choose the location with the greatest accessibility of road infrastructure, electricity grid, water supply, etc., to minimise extra work related to supplying them to the project site.
• Plan for repurposing and life-cycle adaptability of the newly designed building.
  Include:
  • the possibility of adapting the building to the future needs of users;
  • the possibility of changing the function of the building.

Design the structure to enable room expansion, rearrangement, or repurpose without significant construction work so that the space can be shared, transformed, or modified (design-for-adaptability)

Include:

• appropriate column grid spacing (i.e., wider spacing allows for more flexible floor layouts);
• appropriate arrangement of facade elements (i.e., narrower bays provide better options in terms of interior space configuration);
• interior wall system as non-load-bearing interior walls allow easier changes in room layout;
• greater floor height for placing service ducts (e.g., gas, water) in a way that they are not embedded in the building structure, as it increases flexibility in routing internal utilities;
• room size and access to ensure the possibility to access and exit separate (smaller) parts/wings of the larger space as it increases sublease opportunities;
• non-load-bearing facades as it enables changes in the interior layout and exterior elements without needing significant construction work;
• future-proof structural load-bearing capacity (i.e., a redundant structural load-bearing capacity enables broader changes in the facade and use of the building in the future);
• structural design with future expansion in mind (i.e., structural designs with a solid horizontal structure to bear additional floors allow for future vertical expansion);
• possibility of converting the ground floor to serve another function;
• easy access to all parts of the space, providing access for people with disabilities, older people, and children.

Design the premises and their versatility and adaptability, having in mind the needs of people with disabilities

Include:

• the versatility of floor layout, taking into account the safety and convenience of users;
• accessibility to rooms and their functions (i.e., use, among others, wide doors, the convenient height of countertops, contrast lighting, and handrails);
• ease of movement (i.e., safe and stable floor surfaces, avoiding stairs and other obstacles).

Design the building structure to be disassembly (i.e., providing easy access to individual components and avoiding permanent connections of structural elements)

Include:

• independent and relatively easily separable components and their parts;
• reducing the number of connections between components (i.e., hierarchical building structure instead of horizontal) to increase their disassembly potential;
• sequential hierarchical assembly structure (i.e., dividing components into levels, assembling the same levels in parallel and in order from the highest to the lowest) as it enables parallel disassembly;
• using connections and components with as simplified geometry as possible and prefabricated because off-site prefabrication enables using standardised connections, increases accessibility to components, and reduces waste from on-site component preparation;
• prioritise mechanical, reversible, and non-destructive connections (e.g., click, bolt, or nut connections) and only secondarily chemical and non-reversible bonding (e.g., glue or weld connections, chemical anchors);
• readily accessible connections;
• specification of elements with standardised dimensions;
• the potential of modular construction.

Take measures to minimise the use of primary raw materials and maximise the use of sustainable materials

Include:

• reducing the overall amount of materials used;
• using digital tools to optimise the use of materials;
  

  BIM models can be used for better visualisation, work coordination, and material consumption optimisation, whereas 3D models can be used for fast and accurate calculation of dimensions and material performance indicators.

• using reused and recycled materials as much as possible;
• The preferred method for using secondary building materials/components is reuse, followed by upcycling, recycling, and, after all, downcycling.
• using least-processed materials with the highest durability and resistance;
• using materials of known origin, preferably from certified sources, and not containing critical raw materials;
• using materials and elements with Type III EPD declarations;
• using technological solutions, materials, and installations that are circular and reduce environmental impact and minimise the use of primary raw materials, e.g., prefabrication design techniques reducing material consumption.

• Design and select indoor technical equipment with the longest possible service life, which can accommodate changes and adaptations and be easily repaired.
  Include:
  • service ducts (e.g., gas, water) not embedded in the building structure to improve access to them;
  • higher ceilings for service ducts (e.g., gas, water), which increase the flexibility of their routing;
  • easily accessible technical rooms and equipment, which facilitate the future replacement of technical equipment;
  • longitudinal ducts for running services providing flexibility for placing the service points;
  • providing separate servicing to individual parts/wings of the space, which increases their subletting potential and enables the individual maintenance of sanitary facilities.
• Design a building with high energy efficiency, according to the current regulations contained in the national building code (if existing), using renewable energy sources.
• Avoid or possibly minimise energy use from sources negatively impacting the environment.
• Design solutions to reduce water consumption, using rainwater and greywater for domestic purposes.
• Design appropriate building automation and control systems for optimal energy savings.
• Consider using heat recovery.

• Obtain building materials from local sources whenever possible.
• Maximise and optimise transportation efficiency.
• Pay attention to the type of packaging of the supplied materials – it should be reusable or recyclable.
• Use circular elements that support the construction process, e.g., 3D printed parts, prefabricated parts, or any other reusable materials (e.g., formwork).
• Use high-quality equipment, machinery, and appliances with high energy class to reduce electricity consumption.
• Utilise renewable energy sources and rainwater during the construction process.

Design appropriate space for collecting and segregating construction waste to enable proper sorting and further recycling.

Develop a construction waste management plan for the project site

• Include ways to handle hazardous and non-hazardous waste;
• Reserve resources for selective collection of specific types of construction waste.

Implement good practices that can reduce waste generation on-site, such as, for instance:

• maximising the use of prefabricated elements;
• applying appropriate sorting techniques adjusted to the waste type;
• categorising and labelling waste according to national regulations;
• reducing the risk of damage to delivered materials by limiting the time materials are stored in bulk on-site (through optimising the delivery times) and storing the materials adequately (weatherproofing);
• minimising the amount and number of materials ordered in excess (e.g., through specific key performance indicators and contract clauses).

Set targets and key performance indicators following the national waste legislation

Consider:

• Disposal of ≤10% of non-hazardous waste in a landfill,
• Recycling and reusing ≥40% of all inert waste,
• Recovery, recycling, and reuse of ≥95% of inert waste fractions.