BUILDING SCIENCE
Stephanie Tzanis—Alumni Achievement Award
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Stephanie Tzanis—Alumni Achievement Award
About the Award
For overall achievement, contribution, and commitment to the Building Science Graduate Program.
Improving circularity in Ontario building design through design for disassembly principles
MASc Building Science
Supervisor: Dr. Mark Gorgolewski
Abstract:
Mainstream construction processes follow a linear model, which puts pressure on natural resources, produces excessive waste, and increases carbon emissions. Circular design approaches, such as design for disassembly (DfD), can mitigate the environmental damage already done. DfD considers a building’s end of life from the design phase, allowing components to be easily dismantled and reused. This research investigates the level of awareness of design for disassembly in Ontario building design and construction, the barriers to improvement and adoption, and whether a circularity evaluation tool would be beneficial in addressing these barriers. An online survey of the industry was conducted, including responses from architects, engineers, researchers, and construction managers. Individual interviews were also conducted. Finally, the evaluation tool Regenerate was assessed using real building projects. The results of this study identify the industry’s knowledge gaps and suggest methods to improve uptake of circular design strategies through resources, policy, and assessment tools.
Key findings and industry recommendations:
This research shows a high level of general awareness of circular design practices among industry professionals, with limited detailed knowledge required for implementation.
The following barriers to improving circularity in the industry were identified:
As well as the following enablers:
It is recommended that circular design strategies are better integrated into the design process. Policies, standards, and industry associations should be the ones to lead this change. It was also found that designers require additional resources and guides on circular design practices to improve their prevalence.
In completing this research, Steph had the opportunity to meet with local industry professionals and collaborate with Dr. Charles Gillott from the University of Sheffield. The research was then disseminated alongside comparable findings from the UK; Steph and Charles presented their work at the OAA Conference in Sudbury, ON, in a webinar for Sustainable Buildings Canada, and for the students of the Better Buildings Bootcamp.
For overall achievement, contribution, and commitment to the Building Science Graduate Program.
Improving circularity in Ontario building design through design for disassembly principles
MASc Building Science
Supervisor: Dr. Mark Gorgolewski
Abstract:
Mainstream construction processes follow a linear model, which puts pressure on natural resources, produces excessive waste, and increases carbon emissions. Circular design approaches, such as design for disassembly (DfD), can mitigate the environmental damage already done. DfD considers a building’s end of life from the design phase, allowing components to be easily dismantled and reused. This research investigates the level of awareness of design for disassembly in Ontario building design and construction, the barriers to improvement and adoption, and whether a circularity evaluation tool would be beneficial in addressing these barriers. An online survey of the industry was conducted, including responses from architects, engineers, researchers, and construction managers. Individual interviews were also conducted. Finally, the evaluation tool Regenerate was assessed using real building projects. The results of this study identify the industry’s knowledge gaps and suggest methods to improve uptake of circular design strategies through resources, policy, and assessment tools.
Key findings and industry recommendations:
This research shows a high level of general awareness of circular design practices among industry professionals, with limited detailed knowledge required for implementation.
The following barriers to improving circularity in the industry were identified:
- Industry inertia
- Lack of education or understanding
- Cost
- Lack of incentives or regulations
- Client direction
As well as the following enablers:
- Design guidance tools
- Building code requirements
- Integrating circularity early in the design process
- Client direction
- Material reuse databases
It is recommended that circular design strategies are better integrated into the design process. Policies, standards, and industry associations should be the ones to lead this change. It was also found that designers require additional resources and guides on circular design practices to improve their prevalence.
In completing this research, Steph had the opportunity to meet with local industry professionals and collaborate with Dr. Charles Gillott from the University of Sheffield. The research was then disseminated alongside comparable findings from the UK; Steph and Charles presented their work at the OAA Conference in Sudbury, ON, in a webinar for Sustainable Buildings Canada, and for the students of the Better Buildings Bootcamp.
