Spatial design for circularity in residential buildings: Exploring the case of the kitchen

The building industry is responsible for a large portion of environmental impact, energy use and resource exploitation. There is a need to shift towards more sustainable building design solutions, which could be achieved by adopting circular design strategies. Currently, in the field of Circular Building Design (CBD), there is a primary focus on tackling end-of-life scenarios for buildings, such as construction and demolition waste management and reuse of building components. There has been little investigation on spatial design’s contribution to CBD, despite earlier studies indicating its importance to a sustainable built environment. Additionally, there is a lack of investigations in the context of multi-residential buildings; previous works mainly focus on cities, neighbourhoods and other building typologies such as office and commercial buildings. Therefore, this thesis complements the existing knowledge on CBD and expands the discussion on transitioning from a linear to a circular approach in the design, construction and utilisation of multi-residential buildings through studies exploring spatial design’s contribution to circularity.This thesis includes qualitative and quantitative studies exploring stakeholder perspectives and the physical manifestation of spatial design. The studies take a starting point in analysing the kitchen as an eminent function of the home. Studies 1 and 2 investigate stakeholders' processes and preferences connected to the design, construction, utilisation and alteration of the kitchen's spatial design. Study 3 focuses on assessing the circular potential of spatial design of kitchens in contemporary apartment floorplans by identifying and evaluating spatial characteristics as determining aspects of space. Study 4 broadens the scope and investigates currently applied circular design strategies in multiresidential buildings with a particular focus on adaptability features.The results show that spatial design could contribute to circularity by keeping resources in their current utilisation at their highest value and reducing resource flows resulting from spatial alterations (narrowing and slowing the loops). This can be achieved through implementing functional and adaptable solutions in the spatial design of buildings. The results, however, reveal that current spatial design solutions have shortcomings regarding functionality and adaptability due to the segmented stakeholder network and the downprioritisation of end-user preferences and adaptable spatial design in multi-residential buildings. To overcome these shortcomings, the results indicate a need for renewed housing research directly informing regulations that foster circularity in the building industry.The thesis’ specific contributions include insights into stakeholder processes and preferences for kitchen design, spatial design recommendations and discussions on the importance of functionality and adaptability for CBD. To support knowledge development in the field of CBD, this thesis also provides methodological pathways, analytical and design frameworks and aspects of contextual challenges regarding the spatial design of multiresidential buildings. In conclusion, this thesis advocates for incorporating adaptable standard design requirements into CBD approaches, ensuring functionality and ease of adaptation in the short- and long-term. Additionally, this thesis identifies the need for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders in the building industry and expanded evaluation and implementation of end-user preferences related to the design of their dwellings.