For the occasion of Open Bedrijvendag, a national initiative on which dozens of Belgian companies and public actors welcome all people, Flanders’ waste agency OVAM assigned constructors Hahbo and Skilpod the task to display two pavilions that are an example of sustainable, adaptable and circular design. Both temporary structures could be visited on the brownfield site Alesa, located in Schoten near the city of Antwerp.

Because both structures and the related construction systems have been the subject of earlier studies (Debacker et al., 2015), they were already acknowledged as very progressive. But because both constructors have been encouraged to refine their system, a new evaluation is expedient. Therefore OVAM hired VUB Architectural Engineering to assess the adaptability and generality of each system with specific attention for their potential to be part of circular business model.

Departing from a series of 12 qualitative design criteria, the assessment reveals concrete strengths and weaknesses of each system, for example the mobility of each pavilion as an opportunity to answer short-term needs, as well as the limited demountability of finishing materials impeding the establishment of closed, circular material flows. Based on these findings and the related design advices, constructors can improve their products and business models.

If you are interested in an advice oriented evaluation of your project, product or system, please contact our researchers.