Sharing and managing information
Sharing and managing information
In a circular economy, "information flows" will play a crucial role. Properly documenting, managing and updating building information will determine the circular valorisation opportunities in the future. Today, there is no standard for this yet, but one can take a forerunner's role by paying attention to issues such as building passports, material passports, maximum digitisation of data,...
Meaning and importance
Architect Thomas Rau’s statement ‘Waste is material without identity’ shows how crucial information is if we want to move towards a circular economy. Making this information available digitally and managing it will be decisive in being able to bring materials, products or buildings back into circulation. The materials and/or building passport can help with this. In the absence of a prescriptive European framework, the sector is currently adopting a wait-and-see attitude. Therefore, there is a need for pioneers who gain experience in the practical implementation of construction passports, so that a prescriptive framework can be developed on the basis of this experience. This can range from a simple Excel file that lists all materials used to a ‘digital twin’, including disassembly plans and technical info sheets.
But information during the use phase can also help in the efficient use and management of a building. For example, smart building management systems can be used for maintenance management, energy and water consumption monitoring, the organisation of intensive use of space, etc. With the help of information and data management, this will allow us to save material and energy.
How was this included in the Circular Built tool?
In the tool we list some options for building and material passports. They are based on literature, research projects (CB 23 Guidance on Construction Passports, BAMB) and practical experience (projects such as BIM integrum). The list is not exhaustive and mainly aims to inspire and make the user aware of the ways in which information storage and management can contribute to circular construction. Here, too, we made a distinction between must-haves and extras.
How can you measure this?
There is currently no system to measure this, but this also does not seem relevant right now.
Real-life examples
Which tools can help us here?
- BIM-software: A BIM model and the existing software packages allow you to attach information to the as-built 3D model to create a building passport in a digital environment. This passport not only stores an overview of the quantities and types of materials, but can also contain additional information such as technical info sheets, disassembly techniques, maintenance instructions, etc.