Rafael Novais Passarelli

Prof. Dr. Rafael Novais Passarelli

Faculty of Architecture & Arts, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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2 May 2025 in Wood Material Science & Engineering
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Rafael Novais PassarelliRafael Novais Passarelli
Rafael Novais Passarelli
TCTatiana De Oliveira Chiletto
Tatiana De Oliveira Chiletto
Reinhard BrandnerReinhard Brandner
Reinhard Brandner
LOLisa-Mareike Ottenhaus
Lisa-Mareike Ottenhaus


7 December 2023
Verified
Book Chapter
Open access
PDF file
Rafael Novais PassarelliRafael Novais Passarelli
Rafael Novais Passarelli
The transition to a circular economy (CE) offers an alternative path to the current linear, high-polluting, and wasteful practices in construction. In this context, there is a growing interest in studying the potential environmental benefits of extending the lifespan of renewably-sourced wood-based building products through reuse. However, most publications still fail to present a conceptually integrated and comprehensive view of the topic that allows for a broader understanding of its possibilities and challenges. This paper assesses two decades of literature on DfD&R of timber in construction. It develops a comprehensive state-of-the-art framework about the topic, unveiling its most critical challenges, trends, and pressing knowledge gaps. The outcomes of this work contribute to determining more integrated strategies and decision-making tools that could point to further development in the field of timber construction from a DfD&R standpoint, thus facilitating the transition to a CE.

14 September 2022 in Modular and Offsite Construction (MOC) Summit Proceedings
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Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Rafael Novais PassarelliRafael Novais Passarelli
Rafael Novais Passarelli
The increased use of wood-based materials such as CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) can reduce the GHG emissions of the construction sector. Likewise, offsite and modular construction methods can lead to more efficient material use, reducing construction-generated solid waste. However, it is worth noting that employing mass timber and modular construction is not automatically beneficial under all circumstances. The transition from the current linear, high-impact, and wasteful construction practices to a circular, regenerative one can offer an alternative solution to the problem. Moreover, high education institutions can play an influential role in this transition. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding education for circularity in architectural design. This paper aims to address this gap. It presents an educational approach integrating circular design principles with mass timber and modular construction in the setting of an architectural design studio. This paper analyses the pedagogical methods employed and the learning outcomes of the design studio. The results showed students successfully integrated architectural design and knowledge of modular mass timber technology with an innovative circular rationale and exceeded the learning outcomes in two cases.


12 February 2025 in Architecture, Structures and Construction
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Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
Rafael Novais PassarelliRafael Novais Passarelli
Rafael Novais Passarelli
MRMariapaola Riggio
Mariapaola Riggio
NCNancy Cheng
Nancy Cheng
PWPeggy Winkels
Peggy Winkels
EKElke Knapen
Elke Knapen