What is Design for Disassembly?
Designing for disassembly or deconstruction is a building design process that allows materials to be easily recovered when a building is refurbished or demolished.
Making products easier to take apart at the end of their life means that they can be more easily reused or recycled, reducing waste, cost and the embodied carbon associated with sourcing new materials.
The Problem: Traditional fixtures and fixings such as adhesives often do not facilitate this, creating composite materials that are difficult to separate without damage or contamination
Increasingly, specifications are stipulating mechanically, rather than chemically, fixed methods to improve on building material circularity and to promote material reuse.
Clever Reversible Fixings
At CBS Insight, we understand the technical complexities of re-designing products for disassembly.
We have successfully supported several manufacturers to develop reversible, cleanly removable fixings for their products.
Using patented technology, we are able to create solutions which positively impact circularity for the built environment.
project 1
Morph:
Detachable Fixings
Morph® is a modular ‘Lego-style’ construction system featuring a patented connection method.
Nominated for the 2024 EarthShot Prize, its interlocking core components are made of sustainable material and can be assembled in various configurations for furniture and interior design.
The Challenge: Find a more sustainable, durable method of fixing their acoustic or finish panels to walls.
The Solution: CBS Insight developed a 2-part magnetic fixing system that securely holds panels vertically in place, but which is cleanly removable with no surface damage.
Components can be reused, saving the additional embodied carbon associated with replacement new materials.
project 2
Magnetic Wood Flooring
Engineered wood flooring is a beautiful, sustainable choice, often installed on raised access flooring in office and hospitality spaces.
Traditionally, adhesives and pins are used to ensure a durable installation but this impedes reuse of the flooring.
The Challenge: Help manufacturers WFA and V4 to develop a reversible, magnetic option for their ranges.
The Solution: CBS Insight provided consultation services, advising on the best materials and processes required for optimum performance.
IOBAC Magnetic Foil was used to create stunning magnetic-backed wood flooring products that can be installed and cleanly removed from access flooring for future reuse.
project 3
Alusid: Ceramic Tile Fixing
Alusid® are redefining ceramic wall and floor tiles, with one of the lowest carbon footprint tiles in the world.
They transform low-value “waste” by-products into high value architectural tiles containing at least 91% recycled materials. Yet, uplifting tiles installed using adhesive often damages them, making reuse difficult.
The Challenge: Develop a reversible fixing mechanism for ceramic tiles.
The Solution: CBS Insight developed a bespoke system incorporating magnetic-backed ceramic tiles applied to a foil underlay.
This solution is currently under trial.
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