CIRCULAR1st: Smart Automation for Prioritizing Sustainable and CIRCULAR Building Solutions in EARLY Design Stages

Project Framework

OBJECTIVES

The CIRCULAR1st project advances decarbonization in the building sector by embedding circular, sustainable choices into the design phase. Using machine learning, digital models, and virtual reality, it enables evidence-based selection of building products and solutions. To achieve this, the project defines the following general and specific objectives:

  • IDENTIFICATION OF THE KEY METRICS FOR CIRCULARITY ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF DATA SOURCES.
    • Identification and definition of the metrics for early-stage circularity assessment and prioritization of building products considering environmental, social and economic aspects.
    • Analysis of existing data sources to obtain the identified circularity metrics.
  • DEVELOPMENT OF A FRAMEWORK FOR PRIORITISING BUILDING PRODUCTS BASED ON THE DEFINED CIRCULARITY METRICS USING ML METHODS.
    • Develop a standardized, data-driven framework to enhance construction circularity by combining real-world data, advanced harmonization techniques, and machine learning insights such as clustering to define system requirements.
    • Selection of the optimal ML method to develop a predictive model to prioritize building products’ alternatives.
    • Development of the predictive model for assessing and prioritizing building products.
  • INTEGRATION OF VISUALIZATION, COLLABORATION AND REPORTING TECHNIQUES.
    • Development of interoperable interfaces for stakeholder collaboration though VR.
    • Integration of the system into a digital building logbook framework.
  • DEMONSTRATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PRIORITISATION MODEL TO ACHIEVE BUILDING DECARBONISATION INTO ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS.
    • Definition of validation metrics, scenarios and pilot test.
    • Validation of the prioritisation model for different scenarios

METHODOLOGY AND WORK PLAN

The project work plan is organised into six work packages (WPs). WP1 addresses project management and quality control. WP2 focuses on the development of circularity metrics and the analysis of data sources. WP3 develops a system for prioritising building products based on circularity principles. WP4 integrates visualisation, collaboration and reporting techniques. Building on these results, WP5 demonstrates and validates the model across different scenarios. WP6 defines and delivers the dissemination and internationalisation plan.

CIRCULAR1st Structure