Circular construction to reduce cost (and environmental impact)

There’s a real buzz about town in Brisbane as the ‘delivery partner’ beauty contest and associated procurement steps up a gear. This is a real opportunity to lock in practices that drive cost out and environmental benefits up.

Prevailing views of circularity and sustainability in construction are that they increase costs. Increasingly this isn’t the case, and the opportunity space for the current generation of designers, engineers and builders is to smash the paradigm that doing things for the environment costs more.

Some simple things can avoid up to 75% of typical emissions associated with construction such as:

Design for disassembly and reuse: Buildings and structural elements are designed to facilitate easy disassembly, with materials intended for reuse or recycling at the end of their lifecycle.

Design for adaptability: Ensuring that the construction can be readily adapted to different uses (e.g., commercial, residential, office) and loading conditions.

Use of recycled and renewable materials: Prioritising materials sourced from recycled resources or renewable sources, such as recycled metals, sustainably sourced wood, or bioplastics.

Waste minimisation: Employing efficient planning and production processes to reduce waste generated during construction and demolition.

Extending the lifespan of materials and structures: Utilizing techniques and materials that enhance the durability of buildings, thereby reducing the need for new construction materials.

Modular and adaptable designs: Implementing structures that allow for easy modifications and alterations in the future, thus prolonging their lifespan and decreasing the demand for new resources.

Energy efficiency and renewable resources: Designing buildings with high energy efficiency and integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or heat pumps, to mitigate carbon emissions.

Some will say it isn’t possible…but Australia already has a world first in circular stadium construction to receive LEED v4 Gold certification for sustainability by the U.S. GreenBuilding Council (USGBC).

So Queensland, we’ve got to show NSW we can do better!

Circularity in Action: the CommBank Stadium Success Story | Populous