Strategies for circular, prefab buildings from waste wood

Abstract

This paper presents a strategy how to maximise timber elements and materials from existing buildings for the reuse or the recycling for new construction. The EU funded project RE4 develops a new concept for disassembly to reuse or recycle timber elements from existing buildings for manifold application (structural and non-structural) and aims to bring waste wood back into the building cycle. Furthermore, an innovative design concept for fully reversible, prefabricated, multi-story residential buildings constructed from waste wood has been established to extend the buildings-life cycle through robust but flexible and adaptable design. Reversible connections, reusable elements and recyclable materials shall minimise future waste when buildings reach their end of life. A two-story prototype shall proof the concept and deliver figures for easy installation, dismantling and future reuse. The research aims to show how current practice can be overcome and design for disassembly can be achieved.