To accelerate the transition to a circular construction sector, there is a need for a shared language that enables everyone to determine how circular a building or structure truly is. Over recent years, ‘The New Normal’ (TNN) was developed on the initiative of Cirkelstad; with support from the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK). Copper8 contributes to the sector‑wide development, dissemination, and embedding of TNN.
Context
To realize circular ambitions, both clients and contractors need a common language for circular construction. In 2019, the development of TNN began, in collaboration with six major commissioning parties and six major contractors. In December 2023, TNN 1.0 was officially launched. The next phase of the program focuses on the broader adoption and application of TNN across the sector.
The question
Support Cirkelstad in the development of TNN both through the design of the framework and indicators, and strategically, by building broad support among participating organizations.
The requirements
Broad support is essential if TNN is to be widely adopted by both clients and contractors. This means the framework must be well‑substantiated and clearly defined, enabling all parties to make transparent and consistent agreements about circular performance.
The process
The process leading up to TNN 1.0 spanned more than four years. During this period, the framework and its indicators were repeatedly updated and refined, partly based on scientific insights developed in collaboration with Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). In addition, data from more than 500 construction projects were collected to determine ambitious yet feasible performance levels for the various indicators, grounded in real‑world practice. Alongside this, significant effort was invested in building broad support across the sector through numerous meetings, presentations, and working sessions.
The result
On 7 December 2023, TNN 1.0 was launched: a shared language for circular construction, featuring ambitious yet achievable performance levels. TNN is now being actively used by both commissioning parties and contractors within the construction sector to make circular performance transparent, steer sustainability ambitions in tenders, and develop policy for circular construction.
” Developing a shared language for the sector is complex. On the one hand, you need in‑depth expertise to develop each indicator and maintain an integrated overview. On the other hand, there is no single commissioning party for this challenge, which means it requires an entrepreneurial approach — step by step bringing the sector along at both executive and operational levels. Copper8 has exactly this profile. They have the drive to make a real difference for the sector.”
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