Scaling up and down with circular economy

Abstract: This project commences with a personal reflection. I, the author, find myself on the verge of completing my academic journey and embarking on the pursuit of an independent life. This involves securing employment and establishing a place to call home, with the ultimate goal of starting a family. However, upon exploring housing options in my home country, Iceland, it has become evident that this endeavour is fraught with challenges. The real estate and rental markets in Iceland are currently experiencing unprecedented highs, and obtaining bank loans for housing has become increasingly more difficult. Faced with the seemingly prohibitive costs of both renting and buying, the prospect of building a home from scratch emerged as a viable alternative. This aligns with a personal aspiration of mine to construct my own dwelling, affording me control over my living space and the opportunity to imbue it with a unique personality. However, delving into the traditional methods of home construction, I soon realised that this avenue can be just as expensive, potentially even more so than purchasing an existing property. Confronted with this reality, the notion of building on a smaller scale and gradually expanding the structure over time, in alignment with financial and spatial considerations, took shape. It was during this exploration that I stumbled upon the concept of the circular economy, which resonated with my vision of sustainable and economically prudent home construction. This realization led to a pivotal question: Can the principles of the circular economy pave a path towards more accessible home acquisition, and if so, how could that process look like? Abstract THEORY This thesis embarks on a comprehensive journey, initially addressing the housing challenges prevalent in Iceland. Subsequent chapters delve into the theoretical underpinnings and strategic frameworks of the circular economy within the construction industry. Next, three case studies, spotlighting applications of circular economy principles will be discussed. Once sufficient knowledge has been acquired on the subject, a rudimentary circular economy building system is developed. The culmination of this endeavour manifests in a practical application—a four-step house design. This design intricately aligns with the evolving spatial needs of its occupants at different moments in time, embodying the essence of a circular economy approach to home construction.