Circul'Air

Key results

Key lessons learned

1. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, in the initial phase, we mainly focused on literature review and partner consultations to identify the pain points of current ventilation concepts compared to a flexible building layout with adaptable walls.
2. Through a test setup with three ventilation systems, we were able to analyze the adaptability of the systems and define adaptability indicators. This allows us to objectively assess the adaptability of current ventilation systems.
3. We compared the environmental impact of two ventilation systems in an adaptable context through a simulation experiment in a school building. It was found that a ductless ventilation system C has a lower long-term impact than a system D.
4. We compiled our lessons learned and findings into two scientific publications for dissemination. One of the papers received the CLIMA 2022 best paper award and was also published in the Dutch trade journal TVVL Magazine.

1. There are various ventilation systems that may be more or less flexible in use over the short or long term. In the context of a more circular economy, it is important to consider long and medium-term adaptability.
2. When designing ventilation systems, it is important to consider the overall environmental impact of the system, and not just focus on reducing the auxiliary energy consumption of the fans.
3. Traditional ventilation systems are not always the best solution in terms of circularity. On one hand, it would be worthwhile to research alternative materials with lower environmental impact for those systems, but it's also time to explore alternative, innovative systems.
4. The project facilitated an innovative partnership among three parties that would otherwise have difficulty connecting. This led to a refreshing perspective on matters that were previously unquestioned, potentially resulting in more future-proof products with lower environmental impact.