Challenge: Turning circular ambitions into reality

For project developer Home3, sustainability is not a trend but a fundamental principle. With the Lage Kaart 303 project in Brasschaat, consisting of six apartments, the company wanted to demonstrate that circular construction is achievable, even in affordable housing.

In addition to applying sustainable technologies such as triple glazing, solar-control glass, heat pumps and passive cooling, Home3 primarily wanted insight into the actual material use, reusability and environmental impact of the selected materials. This understanding was essential to identify clear improvement opportunities for future projects. Since this was their first experience with a material passport, Home3 sought expert guidance from Madaster.

Solution: The material passport as a compass for circular success

In close collaboration with Madaster, the material passport was developed over three joint sessions. Home3 selected around 15 material types — ranging from windows to façade insulation — carefully chosen based on quality, cost, and circularity. For example, the company opted for recycled aluminium windows from manufacturer Reynaers, valued for their ease of disassembly and potential for future reuse.

Madaster supported Home3 in structuring all data and provided in-depth analyses. This gave Home3 clear insight into both the circularity score and CO₂ emissions, enabling the company to actively steer sustainable improvements. These insights empower Home3 to make independent and efficient circular choices in future projects.

As a result, Lage Kaart 303 represents an important step for Home3 toward the structural integration of circularity into their way of working, while at the same time, offering transparency to buyers, residents, and policymakers.

Result: Insight and impact from conscious material choices

Transparency in materials

The material passport provides clear insight into what exactly is inside the building, where opportunities for reuse lie, and offers practical guidance for making better material choices in future projects. It also serves as a clear communication tool for stakeholders and partners.

Proven circularity (61%)

The choice of recovered bricks strengthened the project’s circular value: they have been reused and remain suitable for future reuse. Together with other circular materials, such as recycled aluminium, this demonstrates that circular construction is achievable even within affordable housing.

Practical optimisations

The analysis provided concrete improvement points for future projects, such as adopting low-carbon fast-build bricks and more recyclable parquet flooring. The focus here is on easy disassembly and reuse, which reduces environmental impact while creating added value.

CO₂ baseline and reduction path

Thanks to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Home3 now has a clear understanding of where the greatest environmental impacts lie within their projects (including solar panels, windows, and insulation). This enables them to make targeted optimisations in supplier choices and material use.