Knowledge Bank
The first phase of SUSTAINORDIC has focussed on knowledge gathering around the question of what does it take to implement a truly sustainable construction sector in the Nordics? The take aways from a series of knowledge generation activities over the course of 2022–2023 can be clustered into four focus areas or topics. The main topics and each of these topics will be further explored in four articles with the purpose to have a deeper understanding and wider debate.
Where do the topics come from?
Knowledge has been gathered over eight panel debates and the main take aways were the following:
We need to intensify the use of the existing building mass and design for multifunctional and flexible use.
We need to energy retrofit, renovate, and repurpose rather than building new.
We need to shift to biogenic building materials both in new construction and retrofit to address the negative impact from embedded energy.
Place based architecture. Construction should be defined by the context in terms of local material and resource availability, cultural, social, and aesthetic context as well as legislative context.
Architecture as a community builder (Fællesskaber).
We need to bring in and include more voices within the process of architecture.
We need to shift from human-centric design to Life-centric design and consider the limitations and the competition for land use. This points to inclusion of space for all life (biodiversity) both in construction and in the whole value chain.
Emissions from the construction sector must operate with maximum emissions defined by planetary boundaries and include activities in the whole value chain.
These eight take aways can be clustered into four focus areas or topics. The four main topics and each of these topics will be further explored in an article with the purpose to have a deeper understanding and wider debate. The various topics may be more relevant to specific focus groups, and we would therefore invite a group of experts to reflect upon each article.
The hierarchy of material use in construction
We need to intensify the use of the existing building mass and design for multifunctional and flexible use. We should energy retrofit, renovate, and repurpose rather than building new and only when it is absolutely necessary to add virgin material, we need to use biogenic building materials both in new construction and retrofit to address the negative impact from embedded energy.
Transforming the construction sector – How can we build nothing new?
Roundtable: Tackling short term planning and growth-addiction in Nordic construction
Place-based development and architecture as a community builder
How can we work with place-based community design and architecture? Construction should be defined by the context in terms of local material and resource availability, cultural, social, and aesthetic context as well as legislative context. How can we work actively with architecture as a community shaper and a nudger of sustainable behaviour?
Perspectives
on Place-Based
Architecture
Roundtable: Highlighting the need for a Nordic knowledge bank about local architecture and planning
The underrepresented stakeholders in construction policy
The ground we stand on is all we have. Throughout history, it has provided us with everything, as the foundation of civilization. Cultivable soil is a scarce resource, at the intersecting point of many interests. How can we actively shape a more resilient land use in planning, architecture and construction in the direction of sustainable practices and conduct?
Down to Earth
Legislation and Policies to Pave the Way for Sustainable Architecture
Legislation and policies have the final voice in shaping the trajectory of the construction industry towards sustainability. Traditionally, regulations have focused on safeguarding individuals through mandates ensuring fire safety, structural integrity, and the use of safe materials. However, in the face of the ongoing climate crisis and the wider environmental challenges we are facing today, there is a growing imperative to extend the protective umbrella of legislation to encompass planetary well-being.
