Abstract
The EU has implemented several policy and legislative initiatives aimed at decarbonisation and circularity transition of the Built Environment including a strategy for large scale renovation of the building/housing stock. Modularised construction solutions are argued to be a potential acceleration pathway toward this objective. Yet there remains issues and challenges in implementing such strategies in a complex and heterogeneous stock and sector. This research investigates this decarbonisation pathway, examining the feasibility and potential of applying a modularised construction over-clad system, based on advanced circularity, in the deep energy retrofit of social housing. The research is based on a grounded case study methodology utilising mixed qualitative/quantitative methods, providing a detailed insight into potential application, benefits, complexity and challenges of delivering modular circular retrofit solutions in case context. The paper contributes to several identified knowledge needs notably in relation to modularity and circularity in retrofitting context with the results showing that conventional modular systems can be adapted to function as overclad retrofit solutions and incorporate advanced circularity/design for disassembly principles with key issues being stock non homogeneity and diversity of host contexts, constructions, materials, finishes and dimensional variations, but with potential for high quality solutions with rapid installation and advanced circularity.
Keywords
Architectural technology, Circularity, Decarbonisation, Design for disassembly, Modular retrofit, Sustainable buildings
DOI Link
Publication Date
2025-01-01
Publication Title
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
Volume
10
Issue
3
First Page
360
Last Page
392
Deposit Date
2026-10-29
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Additional Links
Recommended Citation
Daly, P. (2025) 'Developing a Modular Circular Wall Over-Clad System for Facade Thermal Upgrade in Deep Energy Retrofit Developing a Modular–Circular, Advanced Design for Disassembly, Wall Over-Clad System, for Facade Thermal Upgrade in the Deep Energy Retrofit of Social Housing as an Accelerated Decarbonisation Pathway', Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies, 10(3), pp. 360-392. Available at: 10.29187/2458-973X.1192