Adriana Salles is an Architect, with over 18 years of experience in sustainable construction and healthcare projects, an MSc in Sustainable Construction and Rehabilitation, and a Post-Graduate in Project Management. A sustainable design pioneer in consultancy and advocacy, she has been LEED Accredited Professional BD+C since 2009. Living Building Challenge Ambassador in Brazil, between 2016 and 2017. Consultant in sustainable building design, sustainable urban planning, and development of sustainable strategies, with more than 200,000 sqm projects registered under LEED certification rating systems. Experience in the implementation of Integrated Design Processes, leading design charrettes. Her research field is focused on urban sustainability assessment, urban circular economy, and digital urban planning. She has been studying the integration of sustainability and urban circularity indicators with City Information Modelling. In her master's, she developed a noteworthy dissertation proj
EDUCATION
Architecture and Urbanist
Master in Sustainable Construction and Rehabilitation
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Architecture, Building and Construction, Environmental Engineering
Mapping Circularity Strategies in Building Sustainability Assessment Methods Christina Giarma, Rand Askar, Nika Trubina, Adriana Salles, Patrizia Lombardi, et al. Sustainability Switzerland, 2026 The widespread adoption of circularity principles in the building sector fuels the need for robust and comprehensive evaluation systems, which could benefit from the approaches and indicators employed in widely accepted building sustainability assessment (BSA) methods. Simultaneously, the effective consideration of circular economy (CE) principles into BSA methods becomes increasingly urgent. An important step towards achieving these targets is the investigation of whether, and to which degree, the existing BSA methods encompass and express circularity principles; this study focuses on this relatively underexplored theme. Specifically, this study investigates the degree of association between five widely used BSA methods and the circularity strategies included in the 10R Framework. The methods examined are BREEAM, DGNB, LEED, Level(s) and SBTool (versions and criteria for new buildings). The examination was conducted at the lowest self-contained and score-attributing level of each method and was undertaken by five expert groups—each assigned one method. A quantitative scale from 0 to 5 was used to assess the strength of the association. The results are analysed in terms of (i) the criteria/thematic areas within each method receiving high/low scores, and (ii) the circularity strategies deduced to be strongly/weakly represented in and across the BSA methods. Common trends and milder differences across these axes are observed. Generally, the associations appear stronger in thematic areas relevant to, among others, resources and lifecycle performance, and weaker regarding parameters linked to user comfort. The R-strategies Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink emerge as more intensely represented in the examined methods. The study’s results indicate areas for further research and potential methodological enhancement.
To the Issue of Assessment of the Technical Condition of Underground Structures of Buildings Oleksandr Semko, Yuriy Vynnykov, Olena Filonenko, Oleg Yurin, Tetiana Ilchenko, et al. Sustainability Switzerland, 2025 A survey and assessment of the technical condition of basement and semi-basement structures in public buildings aged 60 to 130 years were conducted to evaluate their suitability for use as basic shelters. Based on the survey results, the most adverse impacts were identified, including changes in groundwater levels, improper building operation, and the characteristic damages to underground structural elements. Structural solutions were proposed to eliminate the consequences of these damages. The reviewed cases indicate that the vertical and horizontal waterproofing systems used during construction cannot perform their function throughout the building’s entire life cycle. When designing new buildings, waterproof materials should be used for the enclosing structures of underground premises. While this may have a higher initial cost than membrane or coating waterproofing, considering life-cycle costs, it can provide a positive economic effect and improve the quality and comfort of the indoor environment.
Urban Circular Economies and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Bibliometric Perspective Genesis Camila Cervantes Puma, Adriana Salles, Ricardo Mateus, Luís Bragança Iop Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science, 2025 The rapid velocity of global urbanization presents increasingly complex challenges to sustainability, demanding transformative approaches to urban development and resource management. Recognizing this urgency, the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive framework for addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic issues. This study investigates the intricate connection between Urban Circular Economies (UCEs) and the SDGs, highlighting UCEs’ potential to transform urban aspects through principles of resource circularity, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices. By minimizing waste, optimizing resource flows, and promoting regenerative urban models, UCEs can tackle critical challenges such as climate change, carbon emissions, and social inequalities inherent to urban growth. Through a literature review of carefully selected studies, this work highlights the pivotal role of UCE practices in advancing key SDGs. The analysis emphasizes essential areas such as urban resource management, integration of renewable energy, waste reduction strategies, and inclusive urban planning. Findings from this research underline the necessity for comprehensive and adaptive policy frameworks to support circular transitions within urban environments. The results also show the importance of global and local collaboration, inclusive governance structures, and innovative regulatory mechanisms.
Circular Economy Best Practices in the Built Environment Genesis Camila Cervantes Puma, Adriana Salles, Janez Turk, Vlatka Rajčić, Almudena Muñoz Puche, et al. Springer Tracts in Civil Engineering, 2025 This document serves as the opening chapter of a book that addresses the critical issue of resource depletion in the built environment, illustrating the unsustainable trends in current construction and demolition practices that extensively rely on new raw materials. It highlights the significant impact of the building sector on global resource consumption, energy utilization, and waste generation, with alarming statistics such as buildings accounting for 40% of the world’s extracted materials and a significant source of waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Advocating for a transformative shift towards a circular economy in the built environment, the text emphasizes sustainable and regenerative economic practices that minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. This approach necessitates the redesign of systems to ensure the durability, reparability, and recyclability of construction materials, thereby promoting a model where waste is systematically eliminated and materials are continually repurposed. The document also discusses the 10R strategy, which centres on minimizing waste and enhancing resource efficiency, and explores various circular practices within the construction sector. It includes examples from case studies and best practices to demonstrate the viability and advantages of adopting circular economy principles. The challenges and success factors in implementing such practices are thoroughly examined, emphasizing the urgent need for increased awareness, supportive policies, and robust stakeholder collaboration to foster a more sustainable and resource-efficient built environment. The first chapter sets the stage for a detailed exploration of these themes throughout the book’s subsequent sections.
Implementation and Consideration of Circularity Within International Sustainability Assessment Methods Christina Giarma, Patrizia Lombardi, Rand Askar, Nika Trubina, Daniela Santana Tovar, et al. Springer Tracts in Civil Engineering, 2025 The construction sector is a major contributor to environmental degradation, prompting the need for integrating sustainability into its practices. This need has driven the development of sustainability assessment methods across various scales of the built environment. Simultaneously, the recent emphasis on Circular Economy (CE) principles has introduced challenges in translating these principles into measurable outcomes within the construction sector. This study aims to investigate the extent to which circularity principles are embedded within existing sustainability assessment methods for new buildings. The study begins by addressing the interrelationships and distinctions between circularity and sustainability concepts, establishing a foundation for the subsequent analysis. Five internationally recognised sustainability assessment methods for new buildings—BREEAM, DGNB, LEED, Level(s), SBTool—were examined to assess their incorporation of circularity aspects. Each component of these methods was scrutinised for alignment with the 10 circularity strategies outlined in the well-established 10-R framework of waste hierarchy. Expert groups, consisting of CircularB COST Action members, independently evaluated the methods and provided opinions on the direct and indirect associations between the assessed components and the 10-R principles. Disagreements were resolved through group discussions. The analysis revealed varying degrees of integration and explicit reference to circularity principles across the assessed methods. The study also highlighted the subjectivity inherent in identifying correlations and the challenges connected to linking certain circularity-related concepts in the built environment—such as resilience and adaptability—with the 10-R strategies. The findings underscore the need for a more in-depth analysis before making direct comparisons of the integration of circularity principles among different sustainability assessment methods, given their methodological differences. The study also identifies directions for future research.
Driving the Built Environment Twin Transition: Synergising Circular Economy and Digital Tools Rand Askar, Ferhat Karaca, Adriana Salles, Artyom Lukyanenko, Genesis Camila Cervantes Puma, et al. Springer Tracts in Civil Engineering, 2025 This chapter offers a comprehensive analysis of the intersection between digitalisation and the circular economy (CE) within the construction sector. It underscores the transformative potential of integrating digital tools to advance circularity objectives across managerial, environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The chapter discusses fourteen digital tools and technologies, which play a pivotal role in CE by streamlining data integration and visualisation, enhancing the accuracy of Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) assessments, and supporting the adoption of CE strategies. Moreover, it explores how digital tools can facilitate collaboration among stakeholders, fostering knowledge sharing and effective communication throughout the project lifecycle. Nevertheless, challenges such as the absence of standardised methods, data interoperability issues, and the need for well-defined system boundaries remain. The chapter highlights the critical role of digitalisation in advancing the transition towards CE in the construction sector, emphasising the necessity of overcoming technical and systemic obstacles to fully harness the potential of digital tools in implementing CE. This transition aligns with the broader ambitions of the European Green Deal and the EU Digital Strategy, aiming to create a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient construction industry. By addressing these challenges and leveraging digitalisation, the construction sector can make a significant contribution to a sustainable and circular economy, ultimately benefiting both the environment and society.
Circular Value Chain Management—Barriers and Opportunities Diana Bajare, Gabriel Zsembinszki, Denis Rizaov, Tatjana Tambovceva, Natālija Cudečka-Purina, et al. Springer Tracts in Civil Engineering, 2025 This section is devoted to analyzing the construction industry as one of the significant industries within the economy of any country with a high potential for circularity. According to Huovila and Westerholm [1], the buildings and construction sector is an essential contributor to environmental impacts and wealth creation in society, with social consequences. Globally, construction uses 36% of the energy, produces 39% of emissions, up to 40% of waste, and uses 50% of all the extracted materials. This undoubtedly emphasizes the significance of the industry and the necessity to transform it from a linear business model development towards a circular one to maintain the higher added value of the resources already currently in the economic cycle and significantly impact the consumption of primary resources. This section will provide an overview of different obstacles in the industry, followed by gaps in awareness and knowledge of the stakeholders and various case studies carried out during the research to highlight the potential solutions for shifting the mindsets and business models operating within the construction sector. The section also provides high-quality examples of successful study courses that can be integrated into different study programs to prepare highly-professional specialists in the construction industry or provide general knowledge on the industry and it’s potential for circularity for any other stakeholders.
Stakeholder perspectives on the costs and benefits of circular construction Ferhat Karaca, Aidana Tleuken, Hamad Hassan Awan, Rand Askar, Mustafa Selçuk Çıdık, et al. Scientific Reports, 2024 The construction industry significantly impacts the environment through natural resource depletion and energy consumption, leading to environmental degradation. Circular Economy (CE) material efficiency strategies—such as material reuse, design for disassembly, prefabrication, and recycling—offer promising solutions for reducing resource consumption and waste. This paper explores stakeholders’ perspectives on the costs and benefits of implementing CE material efficiency strategies in the construction industry, using the 3-R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) framework. By analyzing data from 382 participants, it assesses perceptions of costs and benefits, uncovering regional differences. The findings highlight that studied European stakeholders prioritize reuse and design for disassembly, while studied non-European countries focus on offsite production and material reuse optimization. Despite these differences, both groups view waste reduction as a key benefit, due to the cost savings it provides. By highlighting regional drivers and barriers to CE adoption, this research establishes a foundation for developing targeted policies and collaborative strategies to advance CE implementation in construction worldwide.
Technical barriers to circular economy implementation in the built environment: A problem-based multi-level review M Marchesi, C Giarma, A Salles, R Buzatu, F Karaca, Y Stylianos, ... Sustainable Cities and Society, 107380 , 2026 2026
Mapping Circularity Strategies in Building Sustainability Assessment Methods C Giarma, R Askar, N Trubina, A Salles, P Lombardi, F Karaca, R Mateus, ... Sustainability 18 (5), 2585 , 2026 2026
Urban Circular Economies and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Bibliometric Perspective G Camila Cervantes Puma, A Salles, R Mateus, L Bragança IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1546 (1), 012012 , 2025 2025
Technical barriers and challenges to circular strategies implementation M Marchesi, A Salles, R Buzatu, F Karaca, M De Simone, F Fohl, ... Shaping Circular Transitions in the Built Environment: From Barriers to … , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
To the Issue of Assessment of the Technical Condition of Underground Structures of Buildings O Semko, Y Vynnykov, O Filonenko, O Yurin, T Ilchenko, O Hranko, ... Sustainability 17 (5), 2264 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Circular Economy Design and Management in the Built Environment: A Critical Review of the State of the Art L Bragança, P Griffiths, R Askar, A Salles, V Ungureanu, K Tsikaloudaki, ... Springer Nature , 2025 2025 Citations: 16
Stakeholder perspectives on the costs and benefits of circular construction F Karaca, A Tleuken, HH Awan, R Askar, MS Çıdık, A Iskakova, ... Scientific reports 14 (1), 30039 , 2024 2024 Citations: 22
Driving the built environment twin transition: synergising circular economy and digital tools R Askar, F Karaca, A Salles, A Lukyanenko, GC Cervantes Puma, ... Circular Economy Design and Management in the Built Environment: A Critical … , 2024 2024 Citations: 26
Circular Value Chain Management—Barriers and Opportunities D Bajare, G Zsembinszki, D Rizaov, T Tambovceva, N Cudečka-Purina, ... Circular Economy Design and Management in the Built Environment: A Critical … , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Implementation and consideration of circularity within international sustainability assessment methods C Giarma, P Lombardi, R Askar, N Trubina, D Santana Tovar, A Salles, ... Circular Economy Design and Management in the Built Environment: A Critical … , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Circular economy best practices in the built environment GC Cervantes Puma, A Salles, J Turk, V Rajčić, A Muñoz Puche, ... Circular Economy Design and Management in the Built Environment: A Critical … , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Exploring the potential of circular economy strategies in urban planning: A comparative analysis of successful case studies GC Cervantes Puma, A Salles, L Bragança International Conference" Coordinating Engineering for Sustainability and … , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Nature-based solutions for sustainable urban system transformation: addressing circularity in building system recovery R Pineda-Martos, MB Andreucci, CSC Calheiros, CC Puma, A Salles, ... International Conference" Coordinating Engineering for Sustainability and … , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Analysing Stakeholder Opinions Within the COST Action CA21103 CircularB and Beyond: Circular Economy Implementation in Construction F Karaca, A Tleuken, R Pineda-Martos, SR Cardoso, R Askar, A Salles, ... International Conference" Coordinating Engineering for Sustainability and … , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Assessing the Impacts of Urban Circular Economy Practices on Economic Growth, Environmental Sustainability, and Social Benefits: A Case Study Analysis A Salles, C Cervantes, L Bragança International Conference" Coordinating Engineering for Sustainability and … , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Utilisation of reused steel and slag: Analysing the circular economy benefits through three case studies GC Cervantes Puma, A Salles, J Turk, V Ungureanu, L Bragança Buildings 14 (4), 979 , 2024 2024 Citations: 26
Cultivating sustainable construction: Stakeholder insights driving circular economy innovation for inclusive resource equity F Karaca, A Tleuken, R Pineda-Martos, S Ros Cardoso, D Orel, R Askar, ... Buildings 14 (4), 935 , 2024 2024 Citations: 26
Nexus between urban circular economies and sustainable development goals: a systematic literature review GC Cervantes Puma, A Salles, L Bragança Sustainability 16 (6), 2500 , 2024 2024 Citations: 34
Circular material usage strategies and principles in buildings: a review P Santos, GC Cervantes, A Zaragoza-Benzal, A Byrne, F Karaca, ... Buildings 14 (1), 281 , 2024 2024 Citations: 72
Cultivating sustainable construction: Stakeholder insights driving circular economy innovation for inclusive resource equity. Buildings, 14 (4), 935 F Karaca, A Tleuken, R Pineda-Martos, S Ros Cardoso, D Orel, R Askar, ... 2024 Citations: 5
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Circular material usage strategies and principles in buildings: a review P Santos, GC Cervantes, A Zaragoza-Benzal, A Byrne, F Karaca, ... Buildings 14 (1), 281 , 2024 2024 Citations: 72
Nexus between urban circular economies and sustainable development goals: a systematic literature review GC Cervantes Puma, A Salles, L Bragança Sustainability 16 (6), 2500 , 2024 2024 Citations: 34
Driving the built environment twin transition: synergising circular economy and digital tools R Askar, F Karaca, A Salles, A Lukyanenko, GC Cervantes Puma, ... Circular Economy Design and Management in the Built Environment: A Critical … , 2024 2024 Citations: 26
Utilisation of reused steel and slag: Analysing the circular economy benefits through three case studies GC Cervantes Puma, A Salles, J Turk, V Ungureanu, L Bragança Buildings 14 (4), 979 , 2024 2024 Citations: 26
Cultivating sustainable construction: Stakeholder insights driving circular economy innovation for inclusive resource equity F Karaca, A Tleuken, R Pineda-Martos, S Ros Cardoso, D Orel, R Askar, ... Buildings 14 (4), 935 , 2024 2024 Citations: 26
Stakeholder perspectives on the costs and benefits of circular construction F Karaca, A Tleuken, HH Awan, R Askar, MS Çıdık, A Iskakova, ... Scientific reports 14 (1), 30039 , 2024 2024 Citations: 22
Circular Economy Design and Management in the Built Environment: A Critical Review of the State of the Art L Bragança, P Griffiths, R Askar, A Salles, V Ungureanu, K Tsikaloudaki, ... Springer Nature , 2025 2025 Citations: 16
Analyzing the feasibility of integrating urban sustainability assessment indicators with city information modelling (CIM) A Salles, M Salati, L Bragança Applied System Innovation 6 (2), 45 , 2023 2023 Citations: 14
Circular economy best practices in the built environment GC Cervantes Puma, A Salles, J Turk, V Rajčić, A Muñoz Puche, ... Circular Economy Design and Management in the Built Environment: A Critical … , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Circular material usage strategies and principles in buildings: a review. Buildings P Santos, GC Cervantes, A Zaragoza-Benzal, A Byrne, F Karaca, ... 2024 Citations: 7
Assessing the Impacts of Urban Circular Economy Practices on Economic Growth, Environmental Sustainability, and Social Benefits: A Case Study Analysis A Salles, C Cervantes, L Bragança International Conference" Coordinating Engineering for Sustainability and … , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Nexus between urban circular economies and sustainable development goals: a systematic literature review. Sustainability 16 (6): 2500 GC Cervantes Puma, A Salles, L Bragança 2024 Citations: 6
Using city information modelling to evaluate urban circularity through sustainability indicators A Salles, M Salati, L Bragança Creating a roadmap towards circularity in the built environment, 385-394 , 2023 2023 Citations: 6
Cultivating sustainable construction: Stakeholder insights driving circular economy innovation for inclusive resource equity. Buildings, 14 (4), 935 F Karaca, A Tleuken, R Pineda-Martos, S Ros Cardoso, D Orel, R Askar, ... 2024 Citations: 5
Nature-based solutions for sustainable urban system transformation: addressing circularity in building system recovery R Pineda-Martos, MB Andreucci, CSC Calheiros, CC Puma, A Salles, ... International Conference" Coordinating Engineering for Sustainability and … , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Analyzing the Feasibility of Integrating Urban Sustainability Assessment Indicators with City Information Modelling (CIM). Appl. Syst. Innov. 2023, 6, 45 A Salles, M Salati, L Bragança 2023 Citations: 4
To the Issue of Assessment of the Technical Condition of Underground Structures of Buildings O Semko, Y Vynnykov, O Filonenko, O Yurin, T Ilchenko, O Hranko, ... Sustainability 17 (5), 2264 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Exploring the potential of circular economy strategies in urban planning: A comparative analysis of successful case studies GC Cervantes Puma, A Salles, L Bragança International Conference" Coordinating Engineering for Sustainability and … , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Analysing Stakeholder Opinions Within the COST Action CA21103 CircularB and Beyond: Circular Economy Implementation in Construction F Karaca, A Tleuken, R Pineda-Martos, SR Cardoso, R Askar, A Salles, ... International Conference" Coordinating Engineering for Sustainability and … , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Technical barriers and challenges to circular strategies implementation M Marchesi, A Salles, R Buzatu, F Karaca, M De Simone, F Fohl, ... Shaping Circular Transitions in the Built Environment: From Barriers to … , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
