The case of indoor partitioning
How can specific building components contribute to healthy circular material flows? PhD researcher Bob Geldermans took the case of non-bearing partitioning walls to explore how material properties, material flows, product design, and user benefits can contribute to circularity and flexibility in the built environment.
In his dissertation, two main research questions are discussed. On the one hand, circularity in the built environment is explored by looking into open building divisions of support and infill. To what extent can the infill contribute to sustainable circular material and product flows? On the other hand, flexibility in the built environment is explored by looking into qualitative and quantitative criteria and preconditions. Which are central to integrating the notions of user health & well-being, circularity, and flexibility in infill configurations?
In view on these research questions, the research revolves around multiple topics and disciplines, addressing material properties, material flows, product design, and user benefits, relating to a specific building component: non-bearing partitioning. The research follows a mixed-method approach, primarily qualitatively driven and supported by quantitative data and tools. Literature studies, workshops and expert consultations are applied throughout the trajectory to derive, test and adjust criteria, guidelines and design concepts. The dissertation is structured around four research chapters (each set-up as a separate academic article), preceded by a general introduction and background sketch, and followed by an overarching evaluation of the findings.