RECONSTRUCT promotes circular, low-emission constructions by replacing conventional materials with local, low-carbon alternatives, using reclaimed components, and embedding design for disassembly.
Context
The transition towards circular construction presents a series of complex challenges that require an integrated approach. It is about addressing environmental and social dimensions while fostering sustainable economic development. These challenges can be summarised into four main areas:
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Environmental impact of construction materials such as cement and steel, which are among the leading contributors to carbon emissions. Design for disassembly principles is fundamental in this context.
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Inefficiency of construction and demolition waste continues to strain landfills and increase environmental degradation. Efficiently sorting and separating construction and demolition waste for valorisation is pivotal.
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Absence of an integrated policy and regulatory framework: this fragmentation hinders systemic progress and coordination across the sector.
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Digital transformation of the construction industry: digitalisation, through building information modelling (BIM), sensing technologies, artificial intelligence, and robotics, is essential for maintaining competitiveness and meeting sustainability goals. Barriers to this include high implementation costs, cybersecurity concerns, skills shortages, and resistance to change.
Project and Objectives
RECONSTRUCT focuses on reducing non-renewable material use through circular strategies that include developing alternative materials, digital systems for sourcing secondary materials, creating reusable building components, and integrating deconstruction into design.
Construction waste reduction
Building embodied CO2 reduction
Recycled / Renewable content in building
30% → 50% closed-loop CDW recycling increase in building
Partners
Collaborations
Circular Cities and Regions InitiativeReconstruct is part of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), a collaboration and support scheme of the European Commission.