ReCreate – Reusing precast concrete to accelerate the circular economy
ReCreate is an EU-funded four-year project (2021–2025) that focuses on the dismantling and reuse of precast concrete elements. ReCreate is accelerating the transition to a circular economy by examining the systemic changes that will be needed in the ecosystems of construction and demolition. The key task of the project is to innovate and develop new technological solutions and processes for deconstruction and reuse. The construction industry can save a considerable amount of energy and raw materials by reusing old construction materials. In addition to this, the project will also study work and political processes.
Tampere University serves as the coordinator of the research project.
The ReCreate project also contributes to the following SDGs: 11, 13.
Preliminary report on natural construction products and their usage potential
Natural construction products consist of raw materials from agriculture, forestry and earthworks and can be produced without high temperatures. The production and use of these low-carbon products have become more commonly place rapidly in Central Europe, which is why information on them was desired for the purposes of the Finnish construction material industry.
The main tasks of the Nature CO2 project (1 May–31 December 2022) are to identify the construction products in question, calculate and compare carbon balances, and determine the usage potential of the products. A simultaneous aim is to explore the research and development needs of the products and structure and to outline the lower limit for a low carbon level in construction. In connection to the project, a workshop was organised at Tampere University on 29 November 2022 along with an exhibition of natural construction products, which is still available for viewing in a mobile display case.
The Nature CO2 project also contributes to the following SDGs: 3, 11, 12, 13.
Read more about the Nature CO2 project (in Finnish).
The ECOSAFE projects shed light on the use of cutter shavings as an insulant
The ECOSAFE project studies the thermal and moisture-related behaviour of sawdust insulated structural solutions by means of calculations and tests, and determines the preconditions for using them to produce moisture-safe structures in current and future climate conditions without the need to add an anti-mould agent in the thermal insulation or use a vapour barrier plastic sheet in the structure. Even though the material is already familiar, there is fairly little research data on it, which is why using it for current construction projects is a challenge. The research will produce recommendations and methods for implementing moisture-safe sawdust-insulated structural solutions.
The ECOSAFE 2 project examines the favourable effect of clay on the efficacy of the cutter shaving insulation, as revealed by the ECOSAFE project. The study supplements the ECOSAFE research and expands it to cover acoustics, fire protection and microbiology. The recommended structural solutions of the ECOSAFE project will be changed and supplemented as needed based on the research conducted. The projects will be active from 2019 to 2023.
The ECOSAFE projects also contribute to the following SDGs: 11.
INPERSO: the INdustrialised and PErsonalised Renovation for Sustainable sOcieties project works towards sustainable societies
The multidisciplinary research project INPERSO (2022–2026) explores the opportunities of industrialising the renovations of energy efficient buildings. The INPERSO project will deliver inclusive, affordable, efficient and sustainable renovation methods that can be adapted to various climates and building typologies. The project is primarily focused on residential buildings and heritage buildings. As a holistic deep renovation programme, INPERSO will address the building’s entire life cycle, from project design to the end-of-life, tackling the challenges of digitalisation, fragmentation, quality, efficiency and rapidity, while following a human-centric approach.
The INPERSO project also contributes to the following SDGs: 3, 7, 11, 12, 13, 17.
Read more about the INPERSO project.
Study reveals the power of change agents in breaking circular economy barriers
Launched in 2020, the Waste Matters — Change Agents in the Breaking of the Circular Economy project analyses how change agents participate and engage in the transition towards circular economy (CE) business ecosystems.
The project focuses specifically on consumer citizens, consumer communities and start-ups with the desire and opportunity to transform business ecosystems into more sustainable ones.
The Waste Matters project also contributes to the following SDGs: 8, 12.
Read more about the Waste Matters project.
International project supports cities in the implementation of sustainable construction practices
Circular Construction in Regenerative Cities (CIRCuIT) is a collaborative project seeking to develop and test innovative solutions for implementing a closed-loop system in urban environments so that today’s products become tomorrow’s raw materials. The project participants take a holistic look at the value chain of construction, which includes urban designers, property owners and developers, architects, construction companies and demolition companies.
The project has received funding under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme and involves 31 partners located in Copenhagen, Hamburg, Helsinki and Greater London.
The CIRCuIT project also contributes to the following SDGs: 11.
Read more about the CIRCuIT project.
Research Centre Terra’s education and research promote sustainable design and construction
Research Centre Terra promotes the construction of functional, safe and sustainable living environments through the means of high-quality research and education. Terra promotes sustainable infrastructures that are sustainable throughout their life cycles in close cooperation with operators in the field through thesis work and research projects. Terra is also involved in the preparation of national instructions. Research Centre Terra studies the use and functionality of new and alternative materials in structures, develops dimensioning and repair methods for structures, and promotes the principles of circular economy, digital operating methods and sustainable development in the management and procurement of infrastructure property.
The life-cycle efficient design and construction of ground structures and an understanding of the affecting factors are a natural part of all courses provided by Terra. Infrastructure construction involves moving large masses and the service lives of the structures are long, which is why the choices made have a significant impact on sustainability. The use of recycled materials in infrastructure construction is particularly covered on the courses on circular economy in infrastructure construction, earthworks technology and geoenvironmental technology.
The Research Centre Terra also contributes to the following SDGs: 4, 11.
Panel discussion on architectural heritage and circular economy
University instructor Iida Kalakoski and part-time instructor Riina Sirén organised panel discussions on 18 December 2021 and 4 February 2022 as part of the activities of Rakennusperintö-SAFA. The participants in the first panel discussion were Anne Uosukainen (Pirkanmaa Provincial Museum), Petri Salmi (Spolia Design Oy), Robin Landsdorff (Finnish Heritage Agency) and Juha Päätalo (EkoSAFA). The second panel discussion featured Anni Vartolainen and Panu Savolainen (Aalto University), Henna Partanen (Green League) and Pekka Saatsi (Saatsi Arkkitehdit Oy). The panels involved discussion about architectural heritage and circular economy. Both panel discussions can still be viewed on SAFA’s YouTube channel.
The panel discussions also contribute to the following SDGs: 11, 12, 13.
Watch the panel discussions (in Finnish).
Sustainable design guide for student architects
Professor of Architecture Sofie Pelsmakers is one of the authors of the book ‘Designing for the Climate Emergency: A Guide for Architecture Students’ which steers students towards sustainable design and construction that takes global warming into account.
The guide also contributes to all the other SDGs as well.