News
“RETHINKING ARCHITECTURE THROUGH REUSE”
24.02.2025, 5:00-8:30 p.m
Architekturforum Zürich, Zollstrasse 115, 8005 Zürich
Guests: Mike Guyer, Anna MacIver-Ek, Mischa Trnka, Benjamin Poignon, Niko Heeren, Christina Bronowski, Kathrin Sindelar, Gabriele Bühler
Moderation: Blanca Gardelegui, Kerstin Müller, Zirkular GmbH
The panel discussion “Rethinking architecture through ReUse” highlights innovative approaches to the sustainable transformation of our built environment. How is ReUse changing the aesthetics and processes of the building industry? What role will reuse play in the architecture of the future? How can we combine the circular economy and building culture? Experts from architecture, urban development and the construction industry will discuss the challenges and opportunities of reusing building components – from reducing CO2 emissions, conserving resources and minimising waste to redefining architectural design. Join us and shape the future of sustainable building!
Photo: Martin Zeller
The Art of Connecting – Reuse of the Huber Pavilions
In this book, Catherine De Wolf illustrates the reuse of materials from the Huber Pavilions at the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. The paradigm shift from linear to circular constructions is discussed in conversation with key figures including architects Barbara Buser and Momoyo Kaijima. Documentation by Elias Knecht.
‘And that's the good news: Switzerland is built.’
13.12.2024 – 01.03.2025
Architekturforum Zürich, Zollstrasse 115, 8005 Zürich
A network show of the new (re)building culture. Curated by Denkstatt sàrl, baubüro in situ AG, unterdessen GmbH and Zirkular GmbH.
From 13 December to 1 March, the AfZ premises will be the venue for discovering, discussing and further developing how a transformation of the construction and planning industry geared towards the use of the city can succeed. We look forward to your visit to the exhibition! (content in German)
Photo: Martin Zeller
CAS Circular Construction in spring 2025
The CAS Circular Construction will enter its third round in spring 2025. The further education programme is jointly run by the five member universities (see info page) of the EN Bau cooperation, together with partners ETH Zurich and SIA. Kerstin Müller, Managing Director of Zirkular GmbH, is in charge of the content. Specialists with different thematic focuses are involved in this course and share their expertise and experience with the participants. The picture shows almost all of the participants in the 2024 course.
ARCH+ : Invisible architecture
With their companies baubüro in situ, Denkstatt, unterdessen and Zirkular, founded in Switzerland over a period of 26 years, Barbara Buser and Eric Honegger have done pioneering work in the field of holistic sustainable architecture and urban development with a focus on circular construction methods and reuse.
Interview with Barbara Buser, Eric Honegger, Tobias Mocka, Kerstin Müller, Tabea Michaelis and Ben Pohl
1st Place Prize “Oasis Verdeaux”
In collaboration with Comte/Meuwly Architekten and Schnetzer Puskas Ingenieure, the “Oasis Verdeaux” project won first place in the “Concours groupe scolaire du site de Verdeaux-Pépinières-Saugiaz”.
The competition, organized by the city of Renens, aims to implement a project for the conversion and extension of the school complex and associated library, as well as the construction of sports facilities and a collective afterschool childcare facility.
The Innosuisse research project has been published
Our joint research project with the ZHAW on the legal basis for the reuse of components is now complete. We have published the results, sample contracts and working aids at cirkla.ch.
These documents were created as part of the project “Reuse of components: Legal Framework” co-financed by Innosuisse (project no. 55734.1 IP- SBM) in collaboration with Zirkular GmbH / baubüro in situ and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, School of Management and Law, Department of Urban Planning and Environmental Law.
Our guest professorship at KIT has been extended
Kerstin Müller as Guest Professor for Circular Building at the KIT in Karlsruhe, Faculty of Architecture, through winter 2024/25.
Photo: Zirkular, Kerstin Müller
CAS Circular Construction in spring 2024
The CAS Circular Construction will take place for the second time in spring 2024. The continuing education course will be jointly organized by the five member universities (see info page) of the Kooperation EN Bau (EN Building Cooperation), together with the partners ETH Zurich and SIA. Kerstin Müller, passionate reuser and managing director of Zirkular GmbH, is in charge of the content. In this course, specialists working in the field of reuse will always be involved and share their know-how and practical experience with the participants.
Better than New - How to refurbish an office building facade with low emissions and circularity
Using the example of a facade renovation of an office building in Basel, Better than New explains what preservation and reuse of building components means in practice. Based on the individual components of the façade – from the window seals to the aluminum cladding – it explains how the elements were dismantled, cleaned and reused, which materials had to be disposed of and replaced, and how all this affects the CO2 balance of the building.
With texts by: David Vaner, Charlotte Bofinger, Andreas Ruby
Published by: Ruby Press
Demolition houses become mines
The throwaway mentality also characterizes the real estate industry – and as a result, over 80 percent of Swiss waste comes from the construction industry. But a counterculture is emerging: the reuse and recycling of building materials. The new hunting and gathering has just begun.
Article by Esther Banz, published on 13.09.23 in the magazine moneta
1st prize study commission Ziegelei Ost Allschwil
“Habitat Ziegelei Allschwil” – more than a brick in the wall
Five architectural firms were commissioned to draw up studies for the development of the approximately 45,000 m² Ziegelei Ost site. The proposal by pool Architekten (Zurich), Westpol Landschaftsarchitektur (Basel), Zirkular (Basel) and Deuring + Oehninger Ingenieure (Winterthur) was convincing on many levels, distinguishing itself especially with the respect shown for the industrial history of the site.
Image: pool Architekten
Reuse in Construction – A Compendium of Circular Architecture
The publication “Reuse in Construction” was made possible by the ZHAW Department of Architecture, Design and Civil Engineering. It was produced as part of the Circular Building research project of the ZHAW Institute of Constructive Design in cooperation with baubüro in situ and Zirkular GmbH.
Using the example of the K.118, “Reuse in Construction” documents in detail the changed planning processes, costs and positive effects in terms of climate protection and in the architectural design of circular construction.
The book was first published in 2021 and translated into English in 2022. Both editions were published by Park Books.