Designing Temporary Use: Prototyping a Framework towards Material-Wise Projects

The growing awareness of the value of temporary use projects in reactivating unused buildings has led to their increased implementation and acceptance by local authorities and building owners. Encouraging such reactivation can help to address the large number of unused spaces in cities. Additionally, the construction sector’s substantial contribution to environmental damage amplifies the imperative for material-wise approaches to building reactivation, particularly when undertaken on a temporary basis. This study therefore delves into the overlooked dimensions of materialization and design within the realm of temporary use, shifting the discourse from the conventional emphasis on awareness raising to a more holistic approach encompassing sustainability and circularity. Through an in-depth case study analysis of nine pioneering temporary projects in and around Brussels, supported by semi-structured interviews and site visits, this paper first delves into the ‘material approach’ and the ‘design’ of temporary use projects. Second, through a comparative analysis of the cases, a framework of guidelines is prototyped, structured around three perspectives—materialization, design, and stakeholders—and their actionable steps, guidelines, and attention points. The proposed framework, presented and evaluated for the first time in academic research, serves as a proof of concept for the analysis and guidance of temporary use through three integrated perspectives towards resource efficiency. This innovative approach offers a holistic perspective that goes beyond mere standardization and awareness raising, acknowledging the complex dynamics inherent in temporary use projects and providing a comprehensive framework for analysis and action. Ultimately, translating this prototype into a user-friendly pamphlet holds potential to advance the knowledge in this field and facilitate the more effective and sustainable utilization of resources in temporary contexts.

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