Circularity and Biobased Materials in Architecture and Design: Evaluation of the Status Quo and Defining Future Perspectives

Overview of the Report

The publication “Circularity and Biobased Materials in Architecture and Design: Evaluation of the Status Quo and Defining Future Perspectives” is produced by Design United, the 4TU research centre for design, and edited by Juliette Bekkering, Cristina Nan, and Torsten Schröder. The authors are senior academics at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and have extensive experience in sustainable architecture, digital fabrication, and circular design. The report compiles research, case studies, and expert insights to map the current landscape of circular and biobased building practices in the Netherlands and Europe.

Scope and Methodology

The study combines a literature review, interviews with more than twenty researchers and practitioners, and analysis of eight built projects. It focuses on material, component, and process dimensions, evaluating the reuse potential, life‑cycle impacts, and technical performance of biobased and recycled materials. Data were gathered from universities, design studios, industry partners, and governmental bodies, with a particular emphasis on projects funded through EU and national programs.

Key Findings on Material Use

Biobased materials such as mycelium, hemp, flax, and wood‑based composites are identified as rapidly emerging alternatives to fossil‑based construction inputs. However, certification gaps and limited large‑scale supply chains remain major barriers. The report notes that the Dutch building sector accounts for 50 % of raw material consumption, 40 % of energy use, 35 % of CO₂ emissions, and 30 % of water consumption, underscoring the urgency of material substitution. Life‑cycle assessments show that replacing conventional concrete and steel with cross‑laminated timber (CLT) can reduce embodied carbon by up to 60 % in specific case studies.

Highlights from Case Studies

• BlueCity Offices (Rotterdam, 2017): 90 % of the renovation used recycled or reclaimed materials, achieving a high circularity score and serving as a hub for circular enterprises.
• Gare Maritime (Brussels, 2020): Europe’s largest CLT project, converting a historic freight station into mixed‑use space with demountable connections and modular wooden elements, achieving energy‑neutral operation.
• Biopartner 5 (Leiden, 2021): Combines steel reuse, detachable façade systems, and biobased insulation to meet DGBC Paris‑Proof thresholds for CO₂ emissions.
• Circular Kitchen (Amsterdam, 2020): Demonstrates modular kitchen components with a design life of up to 80 years for the frame, reducing total cost of ownership despite higher upfront costs. These examples illustrate practical pathways for material reuse, modularity, and integration of renewable energy systems.

Process and Design Strategies

The authors propose a 10R framework (Refuse, Reduce, Renew, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle, Recover) adapted for architecture. They stress the need for design‑for‑disassembly, material passports, and digital twins to track component histories. Collaborative workshops and “action research through design” are highlighted as effective methods to align stakeholder objectives and accelerate innovation.

Economic and Policy Insights

The report cites the Dutch government’s target of a fully circular building sector by 2050 and notes that achieving this will require new financing models, such as total cost of ownership (TCO) assessments, circular procurement guidelines, and public‑private partnership incentives. It also identifies a €4 million research funding gap for scaling biobased materials, monitoring long‑term performance, and developing robust assessment tools.

Implications for Pan‑European Sustainable Housing

For a European audience, the study provides a benchmark of Dutch circular building practices that can be adapted across the continent. It demonstrates that substantial carbon reductions are possible through material substitution, modular design, and integrated renewable energy. The report’s data‑driven approach, extensive case documentation, and clear policy recommendations offer actionable insights for architects, developers, policymakers, and investors seeking to advance sustainable housing at a regional scale.