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Environmental impacts of Design for Deconstruction and Reuse in timber panel construction: A Life Cycle Assessment with a focus on Allocation

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Transforming the construction sector from a linear to a circular economy (CE) can contribute to achieving the European and German climate targets. The Design for Deconstruction and Reuse (DfDR) approach has the potential to contribute to a reduction in environmental impacts, the primary material demand, and the construction and demolition waste. The aim of this study is to evaluate the environmental performance of a timber panel construction designed in accordance with DfDR principles, compared with a traditional linear system. The reuse of wall and floor elements across two successive building life cycles is analyzed using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Four different allocation methodologies are analyzed to demonstrate multiple use cycles in LCA: the cut-off approach, the end-of-life approach, the equally distributed approach, and the CE linear degressive approach. For the fossil Global Warming Potential, a reduction of 17–34 % can be identified for the different DfDR scenarios compared to the linear one. Furthermore, a reduction in the primary material supply of up to 45 % can be achieved by reusing 100 % of wall and floor elements, thereby reducing construction and demolition waste. The cut-off allocation approach has identified the least amount of uncertainty, since the environmental impacts are addressed at the time they occur. The end-of-life approach allocates impacts to the final life cycle, facilitating circular design. For the case study involving two use cycles, the CE linear degressive approach with a reduced allocation factor is the most suitable.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cesys.2026.100496
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,910
OpenAlex ID: W7203764360
FWCI:
Cites: 41
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Related to: 10