This article synthesizes established and emergent approaches for embedding circular economy principles into the built environment through design-for-change, prefabrication, reuse of construction and demolition waste (CDW), and collaborative procurement models. It draws exclusively upon a curated set of empirical case studies, methodological critiques, materials science findings, lifecycle assessment (LCA) literature, procurement and project-delivery research, and contemporary conceptual analyses. The structured abstract outlines the background, aims, methods, principal findings, and implications.

Background: The built environment is a major consumer of raw materials and producer of waste; transitioning buildings and construction systems towards circularity requires multidimensional interventions across design, material selection, manufacturing, procurement, and end-of-life strategies (Geissdoerfer et al., 2017; Kirchherr et al., 2017).

Aims: This paper aims to generate an integrated framework for implementing circular economy principles in prefabricated and conventional construction by synthesizing evidence on recycled-material prefabrication, deconstruction economics, lifecycle impacts, collaborative technologies, procurement models, and policy barriers.

Methods: A qualitative integrative analysis was performed using the provided literature as primary data. The analysis combines theoretical elaboration, cross-comparison of case studies (deconstruction and prefabrication), critical review of LCA simplifications, and interpretation of socio-organizational drivers and barriers, synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations.

Results: Three co-evolving intervention domains emerged: (1) material- and component-level strategies emphasizing modularity, reversibility, and recycled CDW incorporation; (2) process and digital strategies including Building Information Modeling (BIM) and collaborative technologies to support material traceability and circular procurement; and (3) governance and procurement mechanisms—relational contracting, integrated project delivery, and circular public procurement—necessary to align incentives. Empirical evidence shows recycled CDW can be used effectively in hybrid composites and prefabricated systems with careful engineering, yet LCA outcomes are sensitive to methodological simplifications and boundary choices (Keskisaari et al., 2016; Kellenberger & Althaus, 2009).

Implications: Implementation requires technical standardization, revised procurement frameworks to internalize lifecycle benefits, investments in deconstruction capabilities, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Limitations include variability in CDW composition, market immaturity, and policy fragmentation.

Conclusion: A systems approach uniting technical innovation with procurement reform and collaborative technologies can significantly advance circularity in construction. The article offers detailed design strategies, procurement pathways, and research priorities to accelerate the transition.

circular economy, prefabrication, construction and demolition waste

Debacker, W.; Manshoven, S.; Peters, M.; Ribeiro, A.; Weerdt, R.Y. Circular Economy and Design for Change within the Built Environment: Preparing the Transition. In Proceedings of the International HISER Conference on Advances in Recycling and Management of Construction and Demolition Waste, Delft, The Netherland, 21–23 June 2017. Available online: https://www.bamb2020.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Circular-economy-and-design-for-change-within-the-built-environment_prep....pdf (accessed on 15 March 2025).

Pecur, I.B.; Strimer, N.; Milovanovic, B. Innovative Prefabricated System with Recycled CDW for New and Renovation of Existing Buildings. In Proceedings of the Advances in Civil, Environmental, and Materials Research (ACEM14), Busan, Republic of Korea, 24–28 August 2014. Available online: https://www.academia.edu/68484370/Innovative_prefabricated_system_with_recycled_CDW_for_new_and_renovation_of_existing_buildings (accessed on 16 March 2025).

Minunno, R.; O’Grady, T.; Morrison, G.M.; Gruner, R.L.; Colling, M. Strategies for Applying the Circular Economy to Prefabricated Buildings. Buildings 2018, 8, 125.

Kellenberger, D.; Althaus, H.-J. Relevance of Simplifications in LCA of Building Components. Building and Environment 2009, 44, 818–825.

Lassandro, P. Deconstruction Case Study in Southern Italy: Economic and Environmental Assessment. In Proceedings of the 11th Rinker International Conference, Gainesville, FL, USA, 7–10 May 2003. Available online: https://www.irbnet.de/daten/iconda/CIB860.pdf (accessed on 20 March 2025).

Keskisaari, A.; Butylina, S.; Kärki, T. Use of Construction and Demolition Wastes as Mineral Fillers in Hybrid Wood-Polymer Composites. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2016, 133, 43412.

Forsythe, P. Drivers of Housing Demolition Decision Making and the Impact on Timber Waste Management. Construction Economics and Building 2011, 11, 1–14.

Altamura, P.; Baiani, S. Superuse and Upcycling through Design: Approaches and Tools. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 2019, 225, 012014.

Stokke, D.D. Micro and Macromorphology of Recycled Fiber and Wood. MRS Online Proceedings Library 1992, 266, 47–63.

Alotaibi, S.; Martinez-Vazquez, P.; Baniotopoulos, C. Advancing Circular Economy in Construction Mega-Projects: Awareness, Key Enablers, and Benefits—Case Study of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Buildings 2024, 14, 2215.

Amudjie, J.; Agyekum, K.; Adinyira, E.; Amos-Abanyie, S.; Kumah, V.M.A. Awareness and Practice of the Principles of Circular Economy among Built Environment Professionals. Built Environment Project and Asset Management 2023, 13, 140–156.

Kapogiannis, G.; Sherratt, F. Impact of integrated collaborative technologies to form a collaborative culture in construction projects. Built Environment Project and Asset Management 2018, 8, 24–38.

Karhu, J.; Linkola, L. Circular economy in the built environment in Finland—a case example of collaboration. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 2019, 297, 12024.

Kirchherr, J.; Piscicelli, L.; Bour, R.; Kostense-Smit, E.; Muller, J.; Huibrechtse Truijens, A.; Hekkert, M. Barriers to the circular economy: evidence from the European Union (EU). Ecological Economics 2018, 150, 264–272.

Kirchherr, J.; Reike, D.; Hekkert, M. Conceptualizing the circular economy: an analysis of 114 definitions. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2017, 127, 221–232.

Klein, N.; Ramos, T.B.; Deutz, P. Circular economy practices and strategies in public sector organizations: an integrative review. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4181.

Lingegård, S.; Havenvid, M.I.; Eriksson, P.E. Circular public procurement through integrated contracts in the infrastructure sector. Sustainability 2021, 13, 11983.

Love, P.E.; Davis, P.; Baccarini, D.; Wilson, G.; Lopez, R. Procurement selection in the public sector: a tale of two states. Clients Driving Innovation: Benefiting from Innovation Conference, Australia 2008.

Matthews, O.; Howell, G.A. Integrated project delivery an example of relational contracting. Lean Construction Journal 2005, 2, 46–61.

Miller, G.; Furneaux, C.W.; Davis, P.; Love, P.; O’Donnell, A. Built Environment Procurement Practice: Impediments to Innovation and Opportunities for Changes. Curtin University of Technology, Australia 2009.

Kanther, S. Circular Framework in the Design & Planning Phase of Construction. Full-Text Theses & Dissertations 2025. Available online: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/diss_masters/47 (accessed on 16 March 2025).

De Gracia, A.; Rincón, L.; Castell, A.; Jiménez, M.; Boer, D.; Medrano, M.; Cabeza, L.F. Life Cycle Assessment of the inclusion of phase change materials (PCM) in experimental buildings. Energy and Buildings 2010, 42, 1517–1523.

Dodoo, A.; Gustavsson, L.; Sathre, R. Carbon implications of end-of-life management of building materials. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2009, 53, 276–286.

Doka, G.; Hischier, R. Waste Treatment and Assessment of Long-Term Emissions. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 2005, 10, 77–84.

Eastman, C.; Teicholz, P.; Sacks, R.; Liston, K. BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors. John Wiley & Sons 2011.

Erlandsson, M.; Borg, M. Generic LCA-methodology applicable for buildings, constructions and operation services—today practice and development needs. Building and Environment 2003, 38, 919–938.

Esa, M.R.; Halog, A.; Rigamonti, L. Strategies for minimizing construction and demolition wastes in Malaysia. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2017, 120, 219–229.

Fu, F.; Ma, L.; Li, Z.; Polenske, K.R. The implications of China’s investment-driven economy on its energy consumption and carbon emissions. Energy, Climate and Management 2014, 85, 573–580.

Geissdoerfer, M.; Savaget, P.; Bocken, N.M.; Hultink, E.J. The Circular Economy–A new sustainability paradigm? Journal of Cleaner Production 2017, 143, 757–768.

Gerilla, G.; Teknomo, K.; Hokao, K. An environmental assessment of wood and steel reinforced concrete housing construction. Building and Environment 2007, 42, 2778–2784.