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Abstract

The EU has implemented several policy and legislative initiatives aimed at decarbonisation and circularity transition of the Built Environment including a strategy for large scale renovation of the building / housing stock. Modularised construction solutions are argued to be a potential acceleration pathway toward this objective. Yet there remains issues and challenges in implementing such strategies in a complex and heterogeneous stock and sector. This research investigates this decarbonisation pathway, examining the feasibility and potential of applying a modularised construction over-clad system, based on advanced circularity, in the deep energy retrofit of social housing. The research is based on a grounded case study methodology utilising mixed qualitative / quantitative methods, providing a detailed insight into potential application, benefits, complexity and challenges of delivering modular circular retrofit solutions in case context. The paper contributes to several identified knowledge needs notably in relation to modularity and circularity in retrofitting context with the results showing that conventional modular systems can be adapted to function as overclad retrofit solutions and incorporate advanced circularity / design for disassembly principles with key issues being stock non homogeneity and diversity of host contexts, constructions, materials, finishes and dimensional variations, but with potential for high quality solutions with rapid installation and advanced circularity.

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