Affordable housing in Mechelen
In Flanders, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find affordable housing. Besides construction methods and location, operating and maintenance costs also have a major impact on affordability. Circular construction begins at the design stage, where early decisions determine the long-term life cycle, adaptability, and economic feasibility of a building.
With the residential pilot project in Mechelen, IGEMO explores how BIM can connect design decisions to a circular strategy and future-oriented vision. The aim is to demonstrate how adaptable, change-oriented design combined with sustainable and circular principles can ensure long-term affordability for residents.
In collaboration with Embuild, local governments, architects, and contractors are engaged from the beginning to define clear circular ambitions.
Circle-BIM goals
The pilot aims to develop a transferable BIM-based method for circular, future-proof design and construction that enhances stakeholder collaboration and supports affordable living in Flanders. CircleBIM will serve as a shared digital platform for all chain partners (design, execution, management, and reuse) and help public authorities integrate circular principles into their procurement and project planning.
Goals:
- Register materials, products, and components in an open and accessible building passport.
- Use the BIM model to visualise life cycle layers, material flows, and detachability.
- Apply digital tracking to optimise maintenance cycles.
By treating the building as a system of ‘layers’, the BIM model will quantify environmental impact and promote change-oriented, resource-efficient design. This approach ensures that long-term building management and affordability remain anchored in circular and sustainable principles.
Image © IGEMO
