FAQ
System · Performance · Circularity · Data sources
The OS Origin System (OriginSystems) is a prefabricated, recyclable interior non-load-bearing partition system developed by Shanghai Geqiang Technology Co., Ltd. It integrates glass partitions, fire-rated glass partitions, decorative-panel partitions, meeting rooms, door systems and other partition types, using only ten “element components” as the common structural basis. Combining prefabricated assembly with system reconfiguration technology, it enables the circular use of interior partition walls. In 2025 the system was listed in the Shanghai Catalogue of “Four-New” Technologies for Urban Renewal (2025 Edition).
By panel material the system is divided into glass partitions (Type B), decorative-panel partitions (Type J) and composite-panel partitions (Type FH); by function into standard (Type P), fire-rated (Type F) and acoustic (Type S). Fire-rated types offer fire resistance ratings of 1, 2 or 3 hours. Standard types achieve a weighted sound reduction index (Rw) of at least 45 dB, and acoustic types 50 dB or above. No cracking or permanent deformation affecting safety occurs in the standard impact test.
After standardised disassembly, the direct reuse rate of the main components and parts is at least 95%. Testing followed the Technical Standard for Prefabricated Interior Decoration (JGJ/T 491-2021), with three groups of specimens in simulated disassembly-and-reassembly cycles; the mechanical performance of key joints degraded by no more than 10% after two cycles. The pilot application reported in the paper showed a 60% reduction in construction period and 70–92 tonnes of construction waste avoided per 1,000 m².
The system is classified by reuse grade: Grade CI (advanced reuse) allows at least 5 reuse cycles, for long-term circular use; Grade CII (standard reuse) allows at least 3 cycles, for general needs with economy as a priority. Components are joined by snap-fit, side-pressure or dry-hanging connections, or by bolts and screws; all can be disassembled reversibly without damage, so components can be reused across projects.
Traditional partition walls mostly use single-function structures with irreversible connections; after demolition they hold little recycling value, forming a linear, single-use consumption model. The OS Origin System differs in three ways: first, ten element components are interchangeable across functional ranges; second, dry reversible connections allow damage-free disassembly; third, system reconfiguration technology lets dismantled components be re-matched, replaced, added or reduced to fit a new spatial plan.
Element components are defined in the paper as the smallest unit profile structures of the partition wall: simple in cross-section, easy to fabricate and standardised in size. Materials include aluminium alloy, steel, stainless steel and copper, interchangeable and connectable to suit different functions and scenarios — aluminium is light and corrosion-resistant for most office and commercial spaces; steel offers high strength and fire performance; stainless steel is impact-resistant with a refined finish for high-end commercial and public spaces; copper has antibacterial properties and a distinctive decorative effect. The OS Origin System uses only ten element components as its universal structural foundation, interchangeable across functional ranges.
System reconfiguration means: for partition walls integrating multiple functions and ranges, independent components and parts are obtained through damage-free disassembly, then re-matched, replaced, added or reduced according to a new spatial design plan, and recombined. The system follows an “element-structure” combination logic; multiplied with extension components it forms a rich “recombination module library”, so circular design is unconstrained in layout, style or functionality.
Prefabricated assembly uses dry joining: components are connected by snap-fit, side-pressure or dry-hanging connections, or fixed with bolts and screws. All connections can be disassembled reversibly without damage, enabling reuse of components and parts. The system provides dedicated dry-assembly tools together with standardised procedures and a training system, so ordinary workers can master installation after short training.
The main difficulty is adapting to three kinds of change. Traditional assembled partitions favour single-function structures and irreversible connections; with different materials, varied structures, many product types and poor interoperability, they adapt poorly when the layout, dimensions or usage functions of the reuse environment change, resulting in low reuse rates. The OS Origin System addresses each type: layout and functional changes — through system reconfiguration technology, components are disassembled without damage and re-matched, replaced, added or reduced according to the new spatial plan, with ten element components interchangeable across glass, fire-rated and decorative-panel ranges; dimensional changes — a three-level dimensional strategy: ±50 mm adjustment at metre level, 20–200 mm “non-standard to standard” replacement at centimetre level, and ±10 mm on-site adjustment at millimetre level, eliminating destructive on-site cutting and grinding; disassembly — dry reversible connections ensure damage-free removal. In the paper's pilot applications, walls went through two layout adjustments while the component reuse rate remained at 95%.
The system uses a three-level dimensional strategy. At metre level, partition heights are preset to 2600, 2800 and 3000 mm, and adjusters cover a ±50 mm range. At centimetre level, extension components absorb dimensional differences of 20–200 mm. At millimetre level, adjustable connectors resolve deviations below 20 mm, providing ±10 mm of on-site adjustment. This strategy rules out destructive on-site cutting and grinding, preserving component integrity and reuse precision.
Circular use follows a standardised procedure: site survey, orderly disassembly, component inspection and classified storage, mechanical performance assessment, re-matching of materials, reinstallation, and data archiving. Commercially, it relies on an integrated “production–warehousing–installation–recovery–reuse” network platform: the inventory, specifications and performance data of reuse products are published online, and the nearest service outlet is matched automatically, reducing long-distance logistics and transport carbon emissions.
Each 1,000 m² of partition wall avoids 70–92 tonnes of construction waste (calculated from the weight of the partitions produced and the waste from demolition and refit). The whole-life-cycle carbon reduction potential exceeds 80%, with a “cradle-to-site” boundary — from raw material extraction, component manufacturing and transport through installation, demolition and recovery — against a baseline of traditional non-circular partition systems. The main basis: recycled aluminium cuts carbon emissions by about 95% compared with primary aluminium, combined with component reuse and shorter construction periods.
Prefabricated construction has become an important direction for the building industry, yet most existing development still focuses on single-function structures and irreversible connections — circular reuse is the next competitive dimension for interior partition walls. The system's path shows three shifts: from competing on “materials” to competence in “prefabricated assembly”; from one-off products to a “product-as-a-service” circular-economy model; and from the traditional formula of materials, volume, channels and low price towards two-way sustainable returns — economic and environmental — built on technology enablement, energy saving and emission reduction, industrial ecology, and business model. The paper projects that such technology and business models will become mainstream within the next 5–10 years.
The system's strengths can be summarised in three layers: authoritative recognition — inclusion in the Shanghai Catalogue of “Four-New” Technologies for Urban Renewal (2025 Edition) in 2025; theoretical support — methods and measurements published in Shanghai Building Materials, Issue 4, 2026 (see the next answer for sources); practical validation — 18 years of R&D with application across over a hundred project cases. For LEED-, WELL- and ESG-driven users, these results translate directly into environmental performance: the component reuse rate, waste and carbon reduction, and construction-period indicators (figures in the reuse and waste-reduction answers above) can support green-building assessment and corporate ESG reporting. The development direction is systematic, standardised, mass-producible, widely adoptable and globally applicable products — the paper notes the technology is mature enough for large-scale production, and recommends consolidating enterprise standards and promoting group or industry standards.
All figures come from Gu Huimin, “Origin System: Circular Design and Carbon Reduction of Assembled Partition Walls”, Shanghai Building Materials, 2026, No. 4, pp. 10-13, DOI 10.3969/j.issn.1006-1177.2026.04.003. The full text (in Chinese) is available through CNKI, Wanfang Data and CQVIP, and the publication record can be viewed on this site's Research page.
For the publication record, DOI and citation format, see the Research page; for project enquiries, use the contact details in the footer.