Computational methods for circular design with non-standard materials: Systematic review and future directions

Computational design and optimization methods play a crucial role in early stage design by allowing the incorporation of reclaimed components, fostering resource reuse, and minimizing waste. However, to advance the field of computer-aided material reuse and support its integration into circular construction practices, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive overview of the available methods and their applications. We address this gap by conducting a systematic review of the literature on the role of computational design in facilitating the reuse of building elements, followed by analyzing the interrelationships between optimization methods, materials, and geometric dimensions of reclaimed materials. We then synthesize the identified approaches, offering guidelines that assist stakeholders in selecting suitable computational methodologies for integrating non-standard materials into design processes. Our findings highlight current knowledge gaps in algorithm scalability, performance integration, and the advancement of hybrid computational methods needed to unlock the full potential of computational design for a circular built environment.