Weekly posts from the ongoing pilot projects (description of pilots)

BRIC – CRL – GDC – GTBL – REMs – All projects

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Watch the montage and demontage of building units of BRIC. The bio-sourced materials used in the BRIC pilot´s building units are screwed together or interlocked without any glue!

19/12/2018

We are now assembling reversible tripel glass panels with PV strips produced by Pilkington in Enschede NL.

19/12/2018

In Mostar, in the facility of Konstrukcije, the second steel module for the GDC is now being constructed.

19/12/2018

In only two days the whole façade of the Circular Retrofit Lab was assembled. The whole envelope is being made water and airtight now so we can start the technical and interior works.

19/12/2018

One of the walls we tested in our lab is the JuuNoo system. It is a solid interior wall, which is not demolished at the end of its ‘life’ but is dismantled and repositioned as a next wall. That enables dynamic living or changed use of a building.

14/12/2018

The wooden cassettes assembled by NewMakers are demountable but also internally reversible.

12/12/2018

All the façade elements were prefabricated following the modularity of the conrete structure. Window frames are integrated, simplifying the process even more.

12/12/2018

The first out of four steel modules for GDC has been assembled by local constructor ‘Konstrukcije’ in Mostar.

12/12/2018

At the assembly hall of GTB Lab in Ridderker, the NewMakers now assemble reversible wooden cassettes.

12/12/2018

The façade elements have arrived and are being assembled with a big crane. The prefabrication and assembly with simple bolted connections speeds up this process immensely.

12/12/2018

This week, a crew from Kanaal Z came by our campus to shoot a video about circular construction and the Circular Retrofit Lab. The video will be featured in a series on circular economy. Keep following this blog to see the result!

05/12/2018

The accoya wood is fully biodegradable and renewable. The Mosa façade system on the wall can be mounted, demounted, disassembled and completely recycled. The window systems are made mostly from glass and aluminium, both completely recyclable.

05/12/2018

Reversible wooden roof cassettes have been assembled within the metal frame of the GTB lab module. They have been produced by the Delft based start up: The NewMakers.

05/12/2018

The GDC facade system is fully reversible and contains 95% of biobased material. We assembled it without additional fixing devices. The process has been monitored by the University of Mostar.

05/12/2018

The past days, Reynaers Aluminium installed the profiles for the side façade. Next week the prefabricated façade modules will be mounted. This view will be changing quickly from now on.

05/12/2018

The sheets of galvanized steel covering the roof were purchased through a re-use site for building materials. They have been perforated to be able to screw them on the roof counter battens of BRIC1.

28/11/2018

REMS showcases many circular and renewable alternatives to conventional products, such as Ecor panels (in the foreground) made from recycled cellulose fiber and Doscha wool insulation (visible in the wall).

28/11/2018

Triple glass panels with integrated glass heating are being produced by Pilkington for GTB Lab module. They are fully prefabricated through an automated production process.

28/11/2018

A local construction company in Mostar is preparing dry demountable connections in wood without any fixing material. These are fully bio-based building components assembled for the GDC.

28/11/2018

A third wall system that we have prototyped for the Circular Retrofit Lab is based on the Geberit GIS system. The steel profiles can easily be assembled into various configurations, just like a meccano kit.

28/11/2018

The photovoltaic panels had been screwed on the roof on aluminum rails. They have now been removed by the company EVOCELLS and electricians. Divided and stored for now, they will be reinstalled in April 2019.

22/11/2018

The city of Mostar hosted a 2-day workshop on Social mapping and social impact of this circular construction project on the neighbourhood, the city and the region. It was co-organised by GDC Pilot leader SGDF, the city of Mostar, BRE and BAM UK, and involved local stakeholders.

22/11/2018

At the ODS work-place in Ridderkerk (NL), the first GTB Lab reversible steel module has been produced this week.
ODS – belonging to the international JANSEN group – specialises in façade profiles and is one of the biggest suppliers of steel profiles in the Netherlands.

22/11/2018

3 layers of clay plaster had been installed on a reed mat screwed on the wall. To remove them the painters broke the plaster with a small hammer, then unscrewed the reed mats.
Underneath the wall boxes are revealed as good as new!

22/11/2018

One of the walls we tested in our lab is the JuuNoo system. Thanks to its light and adjustable frame and velcro connections it can be easily installed and quickly (re-)moved. And all this within a circular business model!

13/11/2018

On 29 October, at the International GTB Lab Symposium on sponsored by Regio Parkstad, Rabo Bank and IBA Parkstad 2020
the concept and learning points form GTB Lab have been shared with broad stakeholders’ group.

13/11/2018

This reversible connection enables the disassembly of the facade finishing without affecting the facade frame. It is made possible by adding an intermediary element (made of steel) between two wooden elements.

13/11/2018

Caroline Morizur – project promoter at efp – explains how the building is being assembled, disassembled and transformed. She highlights the various bio-sourced materials used which are screwed together or interlocked without any glue.

13/11/2018

Through constructive partnerships the Circular Retrofit Lab project involves a wide range of buildings actors. Last week we had an important planning meeting to discuss the progress of the project with them.

13/11/2018

We dismantled the cedar lattice of BRIC 1. It will later be reinstalled into the next version of BRIC to prevent the southern facade from overheating in the summer.

06/10/2018

At ‘Building Holland’ in Amsterdam there was yet again no excess of space. So the Reversible Experience Modules (REMs) had to be repositioned to still accommodate all the products.

06/10/2018

We are preparing the production of multifunctional and exchangeable wooden modules to function as reversible floor, roof & façade components in the GTB Lab. TheNewMakers from Delft and 4D architects from Amsterdam are collaborating with ODS from Barendrecht.

06/10/2018

GDC is designed with independent modules that can be organised in different configurations.
The form and configuration of five independent modules are presented here.

06/10/2018

In our test lab we prototype many different internal wall systems. These prefabricated wall modules from Saint Gobain are fireproof and acoustically tested, and can easily be constructed and removed.

06/11/2018

Cellulose wadding had been blown into the wall boxes to insulate BRIC 1. It is now being vacuumed out – over several days – to be reconditioned and reused in the next version of BRIC.

06/10/2018

Two such 3D modules will be placed on a steal grid. This will provide flexibility in moving and positionning the units.

29/10/2018

Before using them in the Circular Retrofit Lab, we tested the developed façade solution on another deconstructed concrete module. The wall panels are completely prefabricated and can be attached at the inside of the structure with reversible connections.

24/10/2018

The model of the future BRIC 2 is displayed in the current BRIC 1 version of the building. Can you imagine that in few months this new version will replace the building right here? The model was built by the architects of BRIC 2: Karbon Architecture.

24/10/2018

The Modules made it to the ‘Dutch Design Week’ (20-28 Oct 2018) with some 2600 designers and more than 335,000 visitors. Their appearance was drastically changed to meet the design requirements. A striking example of the modular design features of the REMs.

24/10/2018

We produced the first glass for the GTB lab to form its reversible tripel Thermo Heat Glas modules. Thanks to the size standardization of the modules and panels we achieved zero waste during the production process.

24/10/2018

We are preparing the full prefabrication of the first 2 units of the Green Design Center: one with reversible green roof using local plants and one with a reversible PV roof. Once fully finished, they will be transported as 3D modules to the site.

24/10/2018

The modular concrete structure of the student houses is a perfect canvas for an adaptable building. The demolition works have been successfully completed, reconstruction will start soon.

24/10/2018

The Rockpanels used for BRIC 1 were initially made from recovered mineral wool insulation. Now they are being removed without generating any waste. Cut into small pieces, they will form future circular siding facades.

24/10/2018

All the more impressive for a display of products that embody reversible design. Watford, the third location of the REMs, challenged the design, but it seamlessly adapted to its new surroundings.

17/10/2018

The Green Transformable Building Lab found a solution for collecting energy from the solar glass panel. This junction box module will also be used in another H2020 project: Integration of energy harvesting at building and district level (EEB-07-2017).

17/10/2018

Together with the students in Architectural Engineering at VUB we opened the academic year and our pop-up event space in the CRL testlab. The transformed space was the ideal location for a reception and exhibition with student work.

17/10/2018

How easy is it to assemble and disassemble the reversible facade A++ panel? It worked well on this individual wooden box containing insulation once the connection with the finishing panel had been optimized.

17/10/2018

Not only the materials from BRIC 1 will be integrated in the project. Karbon team has searched every corner of the EFP training centre! Eureka! A piece of a greenhouse will be used. Can you find it on this drawing by Karbon Architecture?

16/10/2018

The way the reversible glass façade has been designed enables later upgrading of its energy performance. It is also possible to switch from energy production with super solar PV strips to a triple isolation glass facade developed for the GTBL by Pilkington.

17/10/2018

Overview of and assembly steps of reversible A++ façade system. The system permits four reuse and transformation options of the façade system.

17/10/2018

We literally had to squeeze into our space at Watford, UK. A testament to the importance of good measuring. A very neat fit for our Reversible Experience Modules (REMs).

16/10/2018

This is the messy part. Demolition works have started to uncover the modular concrete structure of the old student houses, which are in bad shape. With circular building, these images will hopefully soon belong to the past.

16/10/2018

The new wooden model of BRIC 2 is ready! Like the reversible building itself, the model can be dismantled without effort nor waste. It’s as easy as a Kapla game! We are glad to share with you the model made by Karbon Architecture.

16/10/2018

Sarajevo Green Design Foundation has contracted “Konstrukcija” to produce the steel structure of the first 2+2 prefab units forming the first setup and transformation of the Green Design Center in Mostar.

11/10/2018

The database of the materials used for BRIC 1 is ready. It contains precious information for BRIC2. The team of architects will maximise the usage of every product, every system and every connexion.

10/10/2018

During a workshop, to transform the CRL test lab into a dissemination space for circular building design, international architectural students were invited to dismantle, reuse and reassemble reversible solutions into new spatial configurations and functions.

10/10/2018

Video of visitors exploring the many modules at ‘Ecobuild’ in London for a hands-on feel of reversible building.

09/10/2018

Final Preparations for the production of the reversible GTB Lab modular system have started in collaboration with 4D architects, ODC, Pilkington, New Makers and Rodeca.

09/10/2018

In preparation of the circular renovation works of the CRL modules, experiments have been taking place during the last year in a test lab, identical to the future space. Today, this lab is being transformed into a circular event space to demonstrate the developed reversible wall solutions.

09/10/2018

This is the design for the REMs at Ecobuild in London. The tile layout had to be adapted to fit the requirements of the Ecobuild trade fair, and it was our first full setup.

08/10/2018

The first version of BRIC 1, is disassembled this month. Meanwhile several teams are working hard to assess the data obtained: Brussels Environment (TOTEM), VITO (to develop circular LCA) and BRE (Circular Building Assessment – CBA).

08/10/2018

The Circular Retrofit Lab is a circular renovation project of a series of modules of the iconic student houses by architect Willy Van Der Meeren on the campus of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Enjoy this view, because we start deconstruction very soon!

01/10/2018

Karbon architecture agency joined the EFP training team. Starting this October, they are guiding a new cohorte of apprentices! Plans of BRIC 2 building will follow.

03/10/2018

For the very first time, the Reversible Experience Modules (REMs) were displayed at Brussels Environment. The hall and a small part of the office space were built at this location. On its walls, visitors could view many of its 70 reversible construction products.

01/10/2018

On 15 June 2018, the first version of the BRIC was inaugurated. The fully reversible building will be transformed twice during the next 2 years by construction trainees.

01/10/2018

The CRL pilot project is the result of hard and long work of a team of architects, engineers and researchers of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel!

01/10/2018

Using their phones, Brussels visitors could now find information for each displayed product by scanning the product QR codes. This was the first time the public got try out the online Materials Passport platform. All the products in the REMs were available.

01/10/2018