CarbIP and GTB Lab

The power of collaboration in circular construction

Innovation journey entails allies and partners along the way and necessitates cross-functional collaboration. On that journey, we get the opportunity to meet with experts from various fields and companies to exchange experiences and build knowledge together.

Regarding the latest opportunity, we had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Elma Durmisevic from GTB Lab (Green Transformable Building Lab) and engage in a fruitful conversation concerning different approaches to measuring circularity while using building information modeling (BIM).

At first, the CARBIP project was introduced, and the goal of the project was explained in more detail emphasizing the innovative application of circular aerogel in sandwich panels. The more in-depth conversation with Dr. Elma was about one of the most important objectives of the project, which is the calculation of circularity of the new product. Elma presented GTB Lab’s approach, where circularity is measured using digital models and a Reversibility Index. It has a unique and internationally recognized methodology for measuring circularity.

Reversibility Index

The ” Reversibility Index” in a circular economic context refers to the ease with which a product or building can be disassembled and its components reused or recycled, thus returning them to the material cycle. It is a key factor in assessing the circularity of a product or system, as it directly impacts its ability to be recovered and repurposed, minimizing waste and maximizing resource utilization.

Together with BIM implementation, the transformative concept of Reversible BIM comes into effect, which represents a transformative approach to designing, constructing, and managing buildings with a focus on sustainability and adaptability. Unlike traditional BIM methodologies, which primarily emphasize the creation of static models for construction, Reversible BIM introduces a dynamic and circular framework that enables buildings to evolve and adapt over time.

Collaboration

It was an amazing opportunity to learn more about GTB Lab, and together with them, the next step would be to explore further collaboration and the interest in developing a case study around the CARBIP panel.

Huge thanks to Dr. Elma Durmisevic, Kevin Vastmans and Katrien Clou for their contributions and support. To explore more about the CarbIP project and their advantages, please contact Katrien Clou. To find more about the Aerobel, please contact Steve De Pooter.