Circular Economy in Buildings: Prioritizing Feasible Strategies and Key Stakeholders for Adoption

Why It Matters

This research highlights that a targeted approach to circular economy adoption in the built environment yields better results. By concentrating on high-feasibility strategies and engaging influential stakeholders early in the project lifecycle, design teams can significantly reduce waste and resource consumption, leading to more sustainable and cost-effective buildings.

Key Finding

The study found that focusing on renewable energy, durable design, and prefabrication in storage, industrial, and office buildings during the early planning and design stages, with the active involvement of owners and designers, is the most effective way to implement circular economy principles in construction.

Key Findings

• Most feasible circular economy strategies include renewable energy use, design for durability and longevity, prefabrication, and offsite construction.
• Storage, industrial, and business (office) buildings are the most suitable for circular economy application.
• Initiation and planning, along with the design stages, are critical for successful circular economy adoption.
• Building owners and designers are the primary stakeholders influencing circular economy implementation.

Research Evidence

Aim: To analyze the feasibility and significance of circular economy strategies in building construction, identify influential stakeholders, and determine the optimal lifecycle stages for adoption.

Method: Mixed-methods research

Procedure: A pre-interview questionnaire was administered, followed by semi-structured interviews with 10 sustainability experts to assess the importance and adoption potential of 15 circular economy strategies, evaluate feasibility across different building types and lifecycle stages, and analyze stakeholder influence.

Sample Size: 10 participants

Context: Building construction sector

Design Principle

Early-stage integration of high-feasibility circular economy strategies, driven by key stakeholders, maximizes adoption success and environmental benefits in building projects.

How to Apply

When initiating a new building project, conduct a feasibility study focusing on renewable energy, material durability, and prefabrication options, and ensure close collaboration with the client and design team to embed circular economy principles from the earliest stages.

Limitations

The study's findings are based on expert opinions and may not fully represent the practical challenges or diverse perspectives of all stakeholders involved in construction projects.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: To make buildings more sustainable, focus on using renewable energy, making them last longer, and building parts off-site. This works best for warehouses, factories, and offices, and it's most important to plan this during the early design stages, with the building owner and designer leading the way.

Why This Matters: Understanding which circular economy strategies are most practical and which project phases are most critical helps in designing more resource-efficient and environmentally responsible buildings, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Critical Thinking: To what extent do the identified 'most feasible' circular economy strategies align with the actual economic constraints and regulatory environments faced by different construction sectors and regions?

IA-Ready Paragraph: This study by AlJaber et al. (2025) provides valuable insights into the practical application of circular economy principles within the building sector. Their research identifies renewable energy, design for durability, and prefabrication as highly feasible strategies, particularly for industrial, storage, and business buildings. Crucially, the study emphasizes the significance of the initiation, planning, and design phases for successful adoption, highlighting owners and designers as key influencers. These findings suggest that a focused approach on these elements during the early stages of a design project can significantly enhance the environmental performance and resource efficiency of new constructions.

Project Tips

• When researching sustainable design, consider how different building types might influence the adoption of circular economy strategies.
• Investigate the specific roles and influences of various stakeholders, such as clients, architects, and contractors, in driving sustainable practices.

How to Use in IA

• Cite this research when discussing the selection of sustainable materials or construction methods for your design project.
• Use the findings to justify prioritizing early-stage design decisions that incorporate circular economy principles.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate an understanding of how lifecycle stages impact the feasibility of sustainable design strategies.
• Show awareness of the different stakeholders involved and their potential influence on design decisions.

Independent Variable: ["Circular economy strategies (e.g., renewable energy, design for durability, prefabrication)","Building types (storage, industrial, commercial, residential, business, healthcare)","Building lifecycle stages (initiation, design, procurement, construction, operation, end-of-life)","Stakeholder influence"]

Dependent Variable: ["Feasibility of strategy adoption","Significance of strategy adoption","Potential for adoption"]

Controlled Variables: ["Expert knowledge of sustainability and construction","Geographic context (implied, but not explicitly stated as controlled)"]

Strengths

• Utilizes a mixed-methods approach combining questionnaires and interviews for comprehensive data.
• Focuses on practical feasibility and stakeholder influence, offering actionable insights for design practice.

Critical Questions

• How might cultural or regional differences impact the adoption of these circular economy strategies?
• What are the potential trade-offs between implementing 'feasible' strategies and achieving broader circular economy goals?

Extended Essay Application

• An Extended Essay could explore the economic viability of implementing the identified feasible circular economy strategies in a specific building type, comparing lifecycle costs.
• Investigate the role of policy and regulation in facilitating or hindering the adoption of these strategies, using this study as a foundational reference.

Source

Exploring Circular Economy Strategies in Buildings: Evaluating Feasibility, Stakeholders Influence, and the Role of the Building Lifecycle in Effective Adoption · Applied Sciences · 2025 · 10.3390/app15031174