Learning from North Americans: barriers and levers to reuse from practitioners’ experiences

This study delves into the intricacies of building element reuse practices in North America, spanning the genesis, current practices, and future projections of the initiatives. Using a semi-structured interview method, 35 stakeholders representing diverse domains, such as academia, industry, and government, are questioned on their professional trajectories. Their answers shed light on the changing landscape of barriers and levers at different phases of stakeholders’ careers. The study identifies and analyzes 14 key factors by aggregating 1499 interview categories into clusters, emphasizing their interconnected nature. Factors like unusualness of practice and the need for new processes emerge as persistent over time and for all stakeholders, linked with regulatory dynamics and a lack of knowledge. In a comparative analysis with existing literature, the study also reaffirms challenges such as costs, community dynamics, and the imperative for a societal shift, contextualizing them within the diachronic framework. The research also highlights how perceived barriers can transform into catalysts when establishing standards. By emphasizing phases of participants’ experiences and introducing temporal nuances, this study enhances the understanding of barriers and levers to building element reuse, providing a valuable framework for stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers.