Credit to Innovative Architecture - A case study of circular design concepts and green building assessments

Abstract

The purpose of this master’s thesis is to explore innovative architecture and how it relates to environmental assessments methods for buildings. An increased awareness of the building sector’s environmental impact is expressed through various innovative ideas and design concepts as well as a growing number of green building certifications. In this research, the link between these different pathways towards sustainable architecture is investigated. This is done through a review of innovation theory, design concepts related to circular resource use and green building assessment methods. It is further explored in a case study of the project Bråta Pavilion and the environmental assessment methods BREEAM SE, LEED and Miljöbyggnad. An analysis of the correlations between Bråta Pavilion and the performance based criteria in the methods provides an indication of how circular design is managed by the certification schemes. This study shows the benefits of an increased recognition of reused material and the complex relation between future and current reuse potential. The existing environmental assessments methods contribute to a future circular resource use which currently limits the implementation possibilities of reused material today. This study also highlights the importance of different pathways towards sustainable architecture but also a need for bringing them closer to each other.