BCEF: Early design framework for circular and low-impact buildings

Abstract

The transition to a circular economy in construction demands robust frameworks to assess circularity across the building life cycle. Most existing methods lack methodological depth, fail to support early design, and overlook strategies for disassembly, reuse, and service. This paper presents the Building Circularity Evaluation Framework (BCEF), a multi-criteria framework integrating six indicators: Global Warming Potential, Land-Use Footprint, Reused Content, Disassembly Potential, Functional Adaptation, and Product-Service Systems. Aligned with EN 15804+A2, EN 15978, and ISO 20887, BCEF uses digital tools (Brightway2, DeCon) for semi-automated scoring. Validation is conducted using the Circl Pavilion in the Netherlands; one of the few fully disassemblable buildings. Three scenarios with varying circular strategies are modeled to demonstrate BCEF's ability to quantify trade-offs, support early-stage decision-making, and benchmark circularity. Results confirm their robustness, replicability, and relevance for designers, engineers, and policymakers aiming to implement circular construction practices.