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Case

Buildings

Circular building design

Circular construction

+4

Architecture and better invested resources create better life and climate

8. July 2020

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Danish Association of Architectural Firms

Danish Association of Architectural Firms is the Danish association of private firms of consulting architects representing almost all architectural firms in Denmark. For this reason we provide quick and easy access to the Danish resource base in the area of sustainable architecture. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

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Construction is one of the biggest drivers in society's management of resources. Architecture and planning aim to generate as much value as possible for the resources invested in the building to ensure that buildings and cities can create better quality of life, health, learning and productivity. Resource consumption can be reduced significantly: New Danish buildings are among the most energy-efficient in the world, but there are still challenges with regard to reducing the energy consumption of existing buildings. If we take the opportunity to improve energy efficiency when making alterations, it is possible to create new attractive spaces and a better, healthier indoor climate.

Below, you can see various examples how Danish Architectural Firms uses architecture to create value by reducing resource consumption in buildings and thereby reducing the impact on the climate. The cases illustrate construction projects where a significant energy optimization has been achieved and where the consumption of resources has been significantly reduced through recycling and recycling of materials. Among these you will find Upcycle Studios which is contributing significantly to the transition to a circular economy and green behaviour in the construction sector. At Green Solution House recyclingactive materials and renewable energy sources are in focus.

Read more about the cases.

Upcycle Studios 

When sustainability pays off. In a district of Copenhagen stands the first ever building to convert cost-neutral sustainability and innovative use of resources into increased demand.  

The ambition was to build the world’s most sustainable residential buildings, but still on market terms. Upcycle Studios is contributing significantly to the transition to a circular economy and green behaviour in the construction sector. 75 % of the windows in the 200 m2 flats come from old, demolished social housing units, contributing a 77 % carbon reduction relative to using new windows. Furthermore, 840 tonnes of concrete used in the construction was waste from the new Copenhagen Metro system, and surplus wood was used to make floors, walls and façades. 

[caption id="attachment_113102" align="alignnone" width="640"] Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj[/caption]

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FACTS 

Location Copenhagen
Function Housing and commercial
Completed 2018
Architect Lendager Group

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Un City 

Green transition is everything. The UN’s Danish domicile focuses on sustainable solutions in terms of working environment and architecture 

In the new Copenhagen Area of Indre Nordhavn, you will find the UN City as the first completed commercial complex out of a number of planned office buildingshousing and parking areas that focus on sustainability and climate adaptation. For instancerainwater is used for flushing toilets helping to reduce the annual water consumption of the building by 60 %. The green solutions have been incorporated in all aspects of the lifecycle of the UN City. The domicile uses 55 % less energy compared to conventional office buildings of the same size

[caption id="attachment_113105" align="alignnone" width="800"] Photo: Adam Mørk[/caption]

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FACTS 

Location Nordhavn, Copenhagen
Function Office and conference
Completed 2013
Architect 3XN Architects
Landscape Schønherr A/S

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Green Solution House 

A green lighthouse for the island of sunshine. local, national and international exploratorium for green and sustainable ideas. 

The fan-shaped hotel and conference centre in Rønne on the Danish island of Bornholm is designed according to the ‘Cradle-to-Cradle’ principles, a design philosophy where circular economyrecyclingactive materials and renewable energy sources are in focus. All the materials used in the building can therefore either be recycled or are biodegradable, and are to the extent possible produced locally. The building components are designed so that they can be replaced by newly developed materials as needed. The building is also operated according to a circular business model. In practice, this means that any profit made is continuously reinvested in new green solutions and technologies. 

[caption id="attachment_113106" align="alignnone" width="800"] Photo/Cover: Adam Mørk[/caption]

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FACTS 

Location Rønne
Function Hotel and conference facilities
Completed 2015
Architect 3XN, Steenbergs Tegnestue
Landscape SLA
Engineer COWI, Ramboll, Esbensen Consulting Engineers
Collaborators GXN, William McDonough + Partners, Cradle to Cradle Denmark, Velfac, VELUX, Saint-Gobain, Realdania 

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