In this free online series hosted by The Building Society, Elliott Wood associate director, Steve Faulkner offers insight into reusing materials on building projects
In the previous session, Faulkner looked at smart buildings and how utilising data and energy monitoring can help drive the circular economy.
In this third session, he explores the Elliott Wood approach to reuse, how buildings can become material banks, surveys and investigations and how 3D modelling helps deliver efficiencies.
This session looks at:
- The Elliott Wood approach to material reuse;
- The importance of surveys and investigations to assist material reuse;
- And how 3D modelling can help deliver efficiencies.
Steve Faulkner says: “We’ve been doing some invaluable work [at Elliott Wood] on the reuse potential of materials – material passports, material sourcing and specification banding.
“We’ve also been having some really constructive discussions with demolition contractors regarding the current recycling processes. It’s become very clear that we need to start engaging with demolition contractors a lot earlier than we currently do. I’d suggest at stage 0.”
Faulkner details the tools Elliott Wood has put in place to promote the reuse of building materials. This includes its recent launch of the Structural Carbon Tool.
The Structural Carbon Tool enables the user to:
- Estimate the amount of carbon in different parts of the design
- Identify carbon hotspots and opportunities to target for material reduction
- Understand rough differences between different structural options
- Communicate decision-making impacts with the design team.
The tool has been developed by Elliott Wood Partnership Ltd in conjunction with The Institution of Structural Engineers.
The next session will cover designing with sustainability and deconstruction in mind.
