Circular Retrofit Lab

Key results

Key lessons learned

1. By bringing together industrial partners around the Circular Retrofit Lab for 3 years, beautiful symbioses between start-ups and large companies emerged during the course of the project.
2. We developed a Value Network Canvas to create insight in the value network of companies, test new circular business models and find opportunities for new collaborations.
3. The Lab has more than fulfilled its role as a showcase for circular building. We gave many tours and presentations to share the lessons learned from our project. With professionals, students and the general public.
4. To strengthen communication about the Lab, we set up a project website (www.circularretrofitlab.be). There, we describe the circular renovation strategies that have been applied and you will also find news about future initiatives.

1. Onboarding remains very labour-intensive. However, bringing partners together in a long-term process creates trust and - in the long run - interesting collaborations.
2. Because there are currently many initiatives on circularity, it is becoming increasingly important to coordinate them. For the theme business models, we regularly consulted with the Circulaire Kempen project. We are now doing the same with projects on 'circular' joinery.
3. Pilot projects make the concept of circular building tangible for the general public. They bring out the various dimensions of the circular challenge, give market players the chance to experiment without risk and lead to new partnerships between chain partners.
4. Poor data efficiency remains a major obstacle in construction. It is an important opportunity for improvement. Within the framework of the circular economy, BIM has its limitations as a carrier for material data or building passports. A transactional approach, for example through the use of a blockchain, in combination with standardised data set formats such as EPD, has clear potential.