Within this context, SustainFrame develops an integrated sustainability assessment framework for evaluating innovative construction materials, structural systems, and manufacturing technologies across their entire life cycle. The framework integrates environmental, social, economic, and circularity dimensions while accounting for spatial and temporal dynamics, human behavior, and regulatory requirements within a unified assessment approach.
The project comprises three interconnected work packages. WP1– Integrated Sustainability Modeling and Compliance Alignment for the Construction Sector establishes the overall Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) framework and its alignment with sustainability regulations. WP2 – Leveraging Resource Nexus Thinking for Spatio-temporal Circularity and Sustainability Assessment is led by UNU Resource Nexus and develops methodologies that integrate Resource Nexus thinking, spatial and temporal dimensions, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and circularity into LCSA models. The work supports the assessment of construction and demolition waste, material reuse potential, resource interconnections, and circular design strategies for innovative construction materials and components. WP3– Perception and Acceptance of New Construction Materials and Technologies examines the psychological and social factors that influence stakeholder perceptions and acceptance of innovative construction solutions.
At its core, SustainFrame establishes a harmonized Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) methodology and a common data structure that connects Research Areas 1–3 with the CARE digital ecosystem. This enables transparent and consistent comparison of materials, construction principles, and manufacturing technologies through standardized indicators and harmonized data collection protocols.
Beyond conventional sustainability assessment, SustainFrame incorporates circular economy principles, the Resource Nexus approach, and social acceptance research to capture interactions among resource use, environmental impacts, economic performance, and societal acceptance. The framework also examines psychological factors that influence stakeholder perceptions and adoption of innovative construction solutions. Alignment with EU sustainability regulations, including the European Taxonomy, ensures that assessment results support future policy development and sustainable finance requirements. Through its comprehensive and interoperable sustainability framework, the project provides the methodological foundation for comparing alternatives, guiding design decisions, and accelerating the transition toward resilient and sustainable construction systems, including applications relevant to the Global South.
This project contributes to the UNU Resource Nexus Focus Area Sustainable Buildings and Construction. As a subproject of the CARE Cluster of Excellence, SustainFrame is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) through the Excellence Strategy.
