Graphene

Key results

Key lessons learned

1. The focus of our project was to use design research to discover and evaluate circular opportunities in the design and construction of a typical industrial building (business centre) with accompanying office: Graphene.
2. The research was carried out bottom-up: local construction companies, suppliers and manufacturers close to the starting point (the "take"), together with demolition and recycling companies close to the end point (the "dispose"), focused on a very concrete case: the "make" of an industrial building + offices, with the designers as providers of opportunities in the "design for assembly", with the investor as the economic touchstone and with the players active in the circular economy as the desired building users.
3. The Graphene preliminary design, which concerned part of the Greenville Campus in Houthalen-Helchteren, was not retained. We are therefore currently working on a design for 13,500 m² of industrial buildings, which will be used by some 15 to 30 companies. In addition, there is also room for 2,000 to 4,000 m² of office space.

1. As buildings are designed more according to a "standard concept", the end user must make compromises. The building cannot be designed entirely to his specifications.
2. The market still settles for the solution with the lowest cost. Circular building must not cost more: circular building must be able to lead to a higher return. Merely maintaining a higher value is not enough. The residual value of materials lies too far in the future and is too uncertain.
3. Contractors cannot always provide the required guarantees for recovered materials. Labels are not yet adapted to recycled materials, for example. There must be enough material available to make recovery possible. The additional cost of dismantling with a view to reuse does not always outweigh the cost of new material.
4. The legislation concerning e.g. spatial planning, fire safety, ... is not yet adjusted to an adapted detailing, use of materials or destination.