Recycling the ”ugly”
In 2020, construction and demolition waste accounted for approximately 40 percent of Sweden's waste. Why demolishing when climate goals are clear? Behind each demolition, a series of investigations and calculations have often led us to this irreversible decision – to erase instead of transforming.
In areas facing new developmet, there is often already an existing building stock that can be reused. Buildings are given a high or low cultural-historical value. The higher the valuation, the greater the chance that buildings will be kept or transformed. In our study, we have focused on the low-valued, the "ugly" and buildings threatened with demolition.
The aim for this study has been to investigate how office buildings from the 1960s and 70s, threatened with demolition, can be rebuilt as the homes of the future. Can we think differently and let the "ugly" remain for its material value. Can we transform these buildings, in harmony with nature and the environment, and create attractive homes that respond to contemporary demands.
During SSDD Care, we will present parts of our study and invite to discuss transformation and reuse.