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Paving the road towards a building culture without waste

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Pien Niehe Pien Niehe Europe Press Office,Amsterdam
28 September 2017

Madaster, the ‘cadastre’ for materials, went live today. Arup signed off on an agreement with this online library that facilitates the creation of digital documentation for real estate objects and marks a new standard in the building sector.

By generating a digital ‘Materials Passport’ of each building in this library, roads can be paved towards a building culture without waste. Arup is contributing to the development of this independent public platform for private individuals, companies and government, which will be developed under the auspices of the Madaster Foundation.

The ‘Materials Passports’ stimulates the reuse of materials and invests in clever design to support circularity and reduce waste. Each passport documents used materials: where they are used, how they are processed and the financial value they hold over time. Initially, insight will be provided into the overall material value of a building and reuse or deconstruction will be made simple. 

Connected as global knowledge partner to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Arup is intensively involved in the development of the circular economy principles; underlining the vision that materials can’t go to waste. As Madaster is taking an important step towards a circular economy, Arup is also embracing and supporting this initiative. Carol Lemmens, globally responsible for Arup’s Advisory Services practice, will be designated as non-executive board member of the Madaster Foundation.

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The model of the circular economy forces us to reassess the current working methods and value creation of the built environment. Madaster creates a platform and momentum, which turns around the development of raw materials-to-waste. By giving identity to the components of real estate, infrastructure and materials, they will gain new value. Based on this perspective, we can develop new design strategies, manufacturing methods and exploitation models. ” Carol Lemmens Carol Lemmens Former Arup leader

From now on, everyone can create a materials passport; turning buildings into a documented ‘storage’ for materials. This helps owners, designers and builders during the decision-making process of the design, construction and use of buildings. It also enables investors to include the material value in the total valuation of an object. One of the main advantages for the owner is the fact that the building won’t be written off completely, as the materials keep their value. This sets the scene for a new valuation of real estate, which stimulates the circular economy.

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Resources are scarce and limited and should be documented in order to keep them available without limits. The passport identifies the materials, preventing them from going to waste anonymously. Madaster is a library and generator for materials passports.We are very glad that Arup supports this public platform. ” Thomas Rau Initiator Madaster

About Madaster Foundation

Madaster Foundation aims to eliminate waste, starting in the building and construction sector. It has a general and public, non-profit interest with representatives from multiple sectors of the economy. The organization promotes, governs and stimulates the development of Material Passports through the Madaster platform for existing and new buildings worldwide. 

Philosophic view of Madasters' initiator Thomas Rau. Philosophic view of Madasters' initiator Thomas Rau.