Sostenibilità ambientale del costruire: metodo F.A.D. come chiave di lettura di buone pratiche di circolarità

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that impede the shift from a linear to a circular economy in the construction industry, with a specific focus on projects. As the effects of climate change become more pronounced and the cost of raw materials continues to rise, new strategies are needed to decrease energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to preserve natural resources that are becoming scarce due to the “take-make-use-dispose” approach. The building and construction sector is particularly carbon-intensive. Transitioning to a circular model appears to be an effective solution for reducing emissions and construction and demolition waste, as well as creating new value. This paper will outline the benefits of the circular economy and analyse factors that hinder its implementation, as well as present design strategies discussed in the literature. A method based on Flexibility, Adaptability, and Disassemblability (F.A.D.) will be used to identify best practices for sustainability in building project design. Three case studies of highly sustainable projects built between 2009 and 2014 will be presented, showcasing technical solutions used to optimize performance during the building’s use phase and at its end-of-life. The comparison between the identified problems and the case studies suggests that designing for the entire life cycle of a building is crucial and is connected to flexibility, adaptability, and disassemblability. This prompts a discussion about the level of technical and technological advancement in the sector and the trend towards prefabrication, which can ignore architectural detailing and standardize the built space.