CO mpis – A Tool for CO Reduction in Fit-Outs: Wireframe-development of the communication tool CO mpis

Abstract

The building and construction sector is responsible for a large share of global carbon emissions and extraction of material resources. Within the construction sector, one significant contributor is fit-outs. A fit-out is the process when a commercial space is customized to meet tenant needs. Fit-outs are done frequently from a lifecycle perspective, consequently leading to large amounts of carbon emissions. The aim of this thesis is to facilitate the reduction of CO₂ emissions in fit-outs. The thesis is designed to apply to the real estate company Vasakronan and is conducted in a Swedish context. To realize the aim, Circular economy (CE) was applied to facilitate sustainability in fit-outs. However, implementation of circular economy into fit-out projects is a complex process. Fit-outs are multifaced and tenants' opinions and wishes can become hinders. To enable CEs implementation, efficient communication between real estate owners and tenants is crucial. This thesis seeks to overcome the communication gap, by creating a communication tool for material selection named “CO₂mpis”. Interviews with actors at Vasakronan were held to identify their needs in a communication tool. The needs were specified using user stories. Based on these, a wireframe was developed using insights from a market scan, hotspot analysis and development of a CE framework. The findings were used to create the functionalities included in the wireframe. This includes compering materials carbon emissions, visualizing differences (e.g., reused vs. new materials), and expressing them in relatable terms, such as numbers of plane trips. The tool also enables comparison of different projects and suggests circular strategies for materials. The results show how the gap in communication can be overcome by implementing CO₂mpis.