Conscious architecture and circular economy for a transition in building: the IMIP project as a case study

<jats:p>This research explores the role of design in fostering sustainable transitions through systemic thinking in the building sector, addressing the dynamic, multi-scalar, multi-species, and transdisciplinary challenges inherent in socio-ecological and socio-technical transformations. The s...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Gilabert Sanz, Salvador|||0000-0001-9035-6649, Oliver Villanueva, José Vicente
Formato: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Recursos:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/446287
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/446287
https://dx.doi.org/10.4995/vitruvio-ijats.2025.24284
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Sustainable construction
Conscious architecture
sustainable construction
circular economy
cork insulation
life cycle assessment.
Construcció sostenible
Economia circular
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Arquitectura::Arquitectura sostenible
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Economia i organització d'empreses::Impacte ambiental
Descrição
Resumo:<jats:p>This research explores the role of design in fostering sustainable transitions through systemic thinking in the building sector, addressing the dynamic, multi-scalar, multi-species, and transdisciplinary challenges inherent in socio-ecological and socio-technical transformations. The study is grounded in Transition Design principles, recognizing the agency of ecological, human, and computational intelligence. By embracing systemic approaches, this paper underscores the importance of long-term thinking, collective action, pluralistic perspectives, and value co-creation among diverse actors. The results highlight the IMIP (Innovative Eco-Construction System Based on Interlocking Modular Insulation Wood & Cork-Based Panels) project’s contribution to circular economy principles, demonstrating its environmental and social impact through a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), as an innovative holistic approach to low-energy construction and near-zero-emissions strategies in construction, leveraging local timber and cork as materials for construction systems in building. These results demonstrate the potential of locally based bio-based materials and modular construction systems to promote circularity, reduce ecological footprints, and enhance community resilience. The findings reinforce the significance of design as a driver of systemic change in the building sector, emphasizing the interdependencies and feedback loops between human actions, natural ecosystems, and technological infrastructures.</jats:p>