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Digital Creativity for Circular Construction
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:00
Abstract
The course is about digital innovation towards a circular economy in the built environment. Students will learn about circular construction (e.g., reuse of materials) through hands-on learning practices.
Objective
In the spring semester 2026, we will explore digital and circular design processes across all stages of the built environment, integrating AI, XR, and reality-capture technologies from disassembly to design, construction, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The course concludes with a final presentation and 1:1 construction prototyping demonstrating integrated, circular design strategies. By the end of this course, students will be able to use digital technologies enabling circular construction, with a view to environmental implications. They will be able to assess the challenges and opportunities of low-carbon, circular construction and evaluate possible solutions using digital technologies to enable a circular built environment (more specifically, with reused building materials). To achieve this, they need to be able to do the following: - Apply circular principles using recovered building materials. - Compare different digital technologies applied in circular construction (e.g., LiDAR scanning, drone imagery, photogrammetry, computational design, AI, computer vision, XR, LCA tools etc.) - Understand the potential and limitations of AI for circular construction, e.g. use machine learning to detect and digitize materials (computer vision) or to support creativity in the early design phases of circular construction (generative AI). - Assess the environmental impact implications of their design and technology decisions through a preliminary Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
Content
Students will receive an introduction to circular principles by experts from the building industry and visits of (de-)construction sites where circular construction is exemplified. They will explore how to use digital technologies such as LiDAR scanning, photogrammetry, scan-to-BIM, computer vision, computational design, digital fabrication, and learn about the design implications using reclaimed building materials. This course provides a broad introductory overview of a wide range of digital technologies for circularity and LCA, offering students foundational insights and tools rather than in-depth technical training, and encouraging them to independently explore and deepen their expertise in the areas that interest them most. Creativity in design, construction, communication, etc. is expected from the students.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Language: English
Literature
Çetin, S., De Wolf, C., Bocken, N. (2022) “Circular Digital Built Environment: An Emerging Framework.” Sustainability – Circular Economy in the Digital Age special issue, 13, 6348, DOI: 10.3390/su13116348 De Wolf, C. (2022) “4 promising digital technologies for circular construction.” World Economic Forum, Link
Learning Materials (Links)
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Signup End
- 02.02.2026
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| practical/laboratory course |
Digital Creativity for Circular Construction
Does not take place this semester.
Permission from lecturers required for all students.
Remark: Venue HIF C51 ("Kleine Bauhalle").
|
|
7.5 h weekly |
| lecture with exercise |
Digital Creativity for Circular Construction
Permission from lecturers required for all students.
Remark: Venue HIF C80 ("Kleine Bauhalle"). Tuesdays 9h-17h.
|
|
7.5 h weekly |
Offered In
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Electives (This is only a short selection. Other courses from the ETH course catalogue may be chosen. Please consult the "Richtlinien zu Projekten, Praktika, Seminare" (German only), .)
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