Designing for Circularity and Uncertainty: Early-Stage Decision Support Through Digital Tools and the RPD-Model

Mette Bisgård Madsen; Camilla Gyldendahl Jensen; Peter Nørkjær Gade

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-06952-8_16

Designing for Circularity and Uncertainty: Early-Stage Decision Support Through Digital Tools and the RPD-Model

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution to proceeding › peer-review

Abstract

Early-stage decisions in construction projects are critical for circularity and long-term sustainability, yet often delayed due to fragmented data and limited decision support. This study explores how cooperative digital environments can improve early decision-making in circular construction. Based on a case study with architecture and construction management students, it applies the Recognition-Primed Decision model to examine how teams navigate uncertainty, material reuse, and sustainability trade-offs. Findings highlight the need for structured frameworks, integrated data platforms, and greater trust in digital tools such as large language models. The paper proposes a practice-oriented framework combining visualization, scenario simulation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Rather than removing uncertainty, it helps professionals manage it through iterative learning and cooperative use of AI tools.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Cooperative Design, Visualization, and Engineering - 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Proceedings : 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Bangkok, Thailand, October 19-22, 2025, Proceedings
Editors	Yuhua Luo
Number of pages	9
Publisher	Springer
Publication date	2026
Pages	153-161
ISBN (Print)	978-3-032-06951-1
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-032-06952-8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-06952-8_16
Publication status	Published - 2026
Event	The 22nd International Conference on Cooperative Design, Visualization and Engineeting (CDVE 2025) - Berkeley Hotel Pratunam, 559 Ratchaprarop Road, Makkasan, Bangkok, Thailand Duration: 19 Oct 2025 → 22 Oct 2025 Conference number: 22 https://www.cdve.org/program.html

Conference

Conference	The 22nd International Conference on Cooperative Design, Visualization and Engineeting (CDVE 2025)
Number	22
Location	Berkeley Hotel Pratunam, 559 Ratchaprarop Road, Makkasan
Country/Territory	Thailand
City	Bangkok
Period	19/10/25 → 22/10/25
Internet address	https://www.cdve.org/program.html

Series	Lecture Notes in Computer Science
Volume	16092
ISSN	0302-9743

Keywords

Building Information Modelling
Circular construction
Cooperative decision making
Digital visualization
Large Language Models (LLMs)
Resource efficiency

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-032-06952-8_16

Cite this

Madsen, M. B., Jensen, C. G., & Gade, P. N. (2026). Designing for Circularity and Uncertainty: Early-Stage Decision Support Through Digital Tools and the RPD-Model. In Y. Luo (Ed.), Cooperative Design, Visualization, and Engineering - 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Proceedings: 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Bangkok, Thailand, October 19-22, 2025, Proceedings (pp. 153-161). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-06952-8_16

Madsen, Mette Bisgård ; Jensen, Camilla Gyldendahl ; Gade, Peter Nørkjær. / Designing for Circularity and Uncertainty : Early-Stage Decision Support Through Digital Tools and the RPD-Model. Cooperative Design, Visualization, and Engineering - 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Proceedings: 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Bangkok, Thailand, October 19-22, 2025, Proceedings. editor / Yuhua Luo. Springer, 2026. pp. 153-161 (Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 16092).

@inproceedings{b1e9d71869984f7e95a9845e4a645759,

title = "Designing for Circularity and Uncertainty: Early-Stage Decision Support Through Digital Tools and the RPD-Model",

abstract = "Early-stage decisions in construction projects are critical for circularity and long-term sustainability, yet often delayed due to fragmented data and limited decision support. This study explores how cooperative digital environments can improve early decision-making in circular construction. Based on a case study with architecture and construction management students, it applies the Recognition-Primed Decision model to examine how teams navigate uncertainty, material reuse, and sustainability trade-offs. Findings highlight the need for structured frameworks, integrated data platforms, and greater trust in digital tools such as large language models. The paper proposes a practice-oriented framework combining visualization, scenario simulation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Rather than removing uncertainty, it helps professionals manage it through iterative learning and cooperative use of AI tools.",

keywords = "Building Information Modelling, Circular construction, Cooperative decision making, Digital visualization, Large Language Models (LLMs), Resource efficiency",

author = "Madsen, \{Mette Bisg{\aa}rd\} and Jensen, \{Camilla Gyldendahl\} and Gade, \{Peter N{\o}rkj{\ae}r\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.; The 22nd International Conference on Cooperative Design, Visualization and Engineeting (CDVE 2025), CDVE2025 ; Conference date: 19-10-2025 Through 22-10-2025",

year = "2026",

doi = "10.1007/978-3-032-06952-8\_16",

language = "English",

isbn = "978-3-032-06951-1",

series = "Lecture Notes in Computer Science",

publisher = "Springer",

pages = "153--161",

editor = "Yuhua Luo",

booktitle = "Cooperative Design, Visualization, and Engineering - 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Proceedings",

address = "United States",

url = "https://www.cdve.org/program.html",

}

Madsen, MB , Jensen, CG & Gade, PN 2026, Designing for Circularity and Uncertainty: Early-Stage Decision Support Through Digital Tools and the RPD-Model. in Y Luo (ed.), Cooperative Design, Visualization, and Engineering - 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Proceedings: 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Bangkok, Thailand, October 19-22, 2025, Proceedings. Springer, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 16092, pp. 153-161, The 22nd International Conference on Cooperative Design, Visualization and Engineeting (CDVE 2025), Bangkok, Thailand, 19/10/25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-06952-8_16

Designing for Circularity and Uncertainty: Early-Stage Decision Support Through Digital Tools and the RPD-Model. / Madsen, Mette Bisgård ; Jensen, Camilla Gyldendahl ; Gade, Peter Nørkjær.
Cooperative Design, Visualization, and Engineering - 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Proceedings: 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Bangkok, Thailand, October 19-22, 2025, Proceedings. ed. / Yuhua Luo. Springer, 2026. p. 153-161 (Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 16092).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution to proceeding › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Designing for Circularity and Uncertainty

T2 - The 22nd International Conference on Cooperative Design, Visualization and Engineeting (CDVE 2025)

AU - Madsen, Mette Bisgård

AU - Jensen, Camilla Gyldendahl

AU - Gade, Peter Nørkjær

N1 - Conference code: 22

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - Early-stage decisions in construction projects are critical for circularity and long-term sustainability, yet often delayed due to fragmented data and limited decision support. This study explores how cooperative digital environments can improve early decision-making in circular construction. Based on a case study with architecture and construction management students, it applies the Recognition-Primed Decision model to examine how teams navigate uncertainty, material reuse, and sustainability trade-offs. Findings highlight the need for structured frameworks, integrated data platforms, and greater trust in digital tools such as large language models. The paper proposes a practice-oriented framework combining visualization, scenario simulation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Rather than removing uncertainty, it helps professionals manage it through iterative learning and cooperative use of AI tools.

AB - Early-stage decisions in construction projects are critical for circularity and long-term sustainability, yet often delayed due to fragmented data and limited decision support. This study explores how cooperative digital environments can improve early decision-making in circular construction. Based on a case study with architecture and construction management students, it applies the Recognition-Primed Decision model to examine how teams navigate uncertainty, material reuse, and sustainability trade-offs. Findings highlight the need for structured frameworks, integrated data platforms, and greater trust in digital tools such as large language models. The paper proposes a practice-oriented framework combining visualization, scenario simulation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Rather than removing uncertainty, it helps professionals manage it through iterative learning and cooperative use of AI tools.

KW - Building Information Modelling

KW - Circular construction

KW - Cooperative decision making

KW - Digital visualization

KW - Large Language Models (LLMs)

KW - Resource efficiency

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020665049

U2 - 10.1007/978-3-032-06952-8_16

DO - 10.1007/978-3-032-06952-8_16

M3 - Conference contribution to proceeding

SN - 978-3-032-06951-1

T3 - Lecture Notes in Computer Science

SP - 153

EP - 161

BT - Cooperative Design, Visualization, and Engineering - 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Proceedings

A2 - Luo, Yuhua

PB - Springer

Y2 - 19 October 2025 through 22 October 2025

ER -

Madsen MB , Jensen CG , Gade PN. Designing for Circularity and Uncertainty: Early-Stage Decision Support Through Digital Tools and the RPD-Model. In Luo Y, editor, Cooperative Design, Visualization, and Engineering - 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Proceedings: 22nd International Conference, CDVE 2025, Bangkok, Thailand, October 19-22, 2025, Proceedings. Springer. 2026. p. 153-161. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 16092). doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-06952-8_16

Designing for Circularity and Uncertainty: Early-Stage Decision Support Through Digital Tools and the RPD-Model

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Building Tomorrow: Navigating the edu

The 22nd International Conference on Cooperative Design, Visualization and Engineeting (CDVE 2025)

Cite this

Designing for Circularity and Uncertainty: Early-Stage Decision Support Through Digital Tools and the RPD-Model

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

Building Tomorrow: Navigating the edu

Activities

The 22nd International Conference on Cooperative Design, Visualization and Engineeting (CDVE 2025)

Cite this