1. Inventory your materials
Start by understanding what you already have. Conduct a material audit of your existing building or project and compile the results into a material passport. This documentation captures the type, quantity, and condition of materials – turning your asset into a source of valuable data rather than anonymous waste.
As we often say at Madaster: materials that are not registered end up as waste.
Tip: Use digital tools to streamline this process and ensure compliance with evolving standards like the EU Taxonomy and DGNB criteria (ENV 1.1 and TEC 1.6).
2. Design for reuse
Next, build with the end in mind. Incorporate design strategies that make disassembly easier – such as mechanical fixings instead of adhesives – and use standardized components that can be replaced, reused, or reassembled.
Case in point: At Koba’s 100 Barbirolli Square development, circular design principles enabled the creation of a premium-quality space where reuse was embedded from the outset – all documented in a digital material passport. Read the full case study here.
Tip: Work with your design and engineering teams early to align reuse goals with technical requirements and spatial aesthetics.
3. Choose circular materials
Circular construction starts with better choices. Prioritize materials and products that are:
- Made with recycled content
- Certified for reuse or recyclability
- Offered through take-back or leasing programs
Products that come with Digital Product Passports offer added traceability and simplify lifecycle planning.
Tip: When procuring, ask your suppliers for environmental product declarations (EPDs) and service models that support circularity.
4. Build with data
Installation is only half the story – what matters is knowing what you’ve installed and where. Use platforms like Madaster to create a living database of your building’s materials. This helps you:
- Track compliance
- Monitor material health and value
- Inform future renovations or repurposing
Tip: Collaborate with contractors to log materials at delivery and install stages. The more granular the data, the more valuable it becomes.
5. Plan for the next life
Don’t wait until demolition to think about reuse. A deconstruction plan should be in place long before your building reaches its end-of-life. This includes strategies to recover, resell, donate, or remanufacture components.
Many companies are now partnering with circular marketplaces or NGOs to resell or donate decommissioned materials – saving costs, reducing emissions, and supporting community projects.
Tip: Add deconstruction criteria to your project’s early-phase risk assessments and handover plans.
6: View circularity data for an entire area (new feature)
This year, we launched a powerful, map-based tool that gives cities and stakeholders instant insights into the material makeup and environmental impact of public assets. Using public data, the platform predicts material compositions, estimates CO₂ impact, and identifies reuse opportunities. This will support smarter planning for circular, low-carbon urban development. Interested in this new feature? Contact us and let’s explore the possibilities!
Circular construction is a mindset shift supported by data, design, and planning. By following these five steps, you transition from just ticking boxes to setting up your organization to be more resilient, resourceful, and ready for the built environment’s circular future.
Madaster is here to support you at every step. Rather than just acting as a provider, we partner with clients as a guide through the daily realities of making construction more sustainable, one material at a time.
For more information, visit our overview of how to optimize every stage of construction.
