Circular design strategies for renovations and new constructions

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eMarketplace

Methods, Support

DESCRIPTION:

Circular design strategies for renovation and new construction, as demonstrated in the Oslo demo project, focus on preserving and reusing existing structures and materials to minimise waste and retain historical value. This includes maintaining architectural elements such as façades, cornices, columns, and radiators, while re-establishing lost features using historical documentation. Energy efficiency upgrades are implemented in a non-invasive manner, such as internal insulation to preserve external aesthetics, and selective replacement of degraded components with durable, low-impact materials. New structural additions are designed for disassembly and adaptability, ensuring future reuse or modification. Discovered heritage artifacts, like mason-signed stones and original emblems, are integrated into the design to enrich cultural storytelling. Overall, these strategies blend traditional design with modern performance, enabling buildings that are environmentally responsible, adaptable, and deeply rooted in their historical and cultural context.

BUSINESS ROUTE

Target Users

Architects, Constructors, Research community

VALUE

The transformation of the historic Heidenreich cement factory into a cultural and educational centre highlights the added value of circular design strategies in both renovation and new construction. By preserving key architectural elements—such as original windows, façade details, and structural components—the project maintained the building’s cultural identity while upgrading its performance to modern standards. Circular approaches added further value through the creative reuse of materials, notably incorporating recycled steel from dismantled ships and oil platforms into structural stair components, significantly reducing embodied carbon emissions. This strategy not only minimized environmental impact but also introduced unique material narratives into the building’s architecture. The adjacent sports hall, designed to meet or exceed Futurebuilt energy targets, integrates similar principles with ambitious waste reduction and material reuse goals, demonstrating that circular design enhances sustainability, resource efficiency, and heritage value. Despite logistical and regulatory challenges, these practices bring long-term environmental, cultural, and economic benefits, setting a replicable example for future grid-interactive, low-carbon building developments.

APPLICATION

Oslobygg, SINTEF, and NTNU are collaborating to explore different scenarios for using both new and reused construction materials in the design of a new sports hall. By analyzing how these choices affect the building’s carbon footprint and overall costs throughout its lifecycle, the project aims to identify more sustainable and cost-effective solutions. The insights gained will guide Oslobygg in prioritizing reused materials during procurement—not only for this sports hall but also as a model for future building projects.