A Case Study of Sustainable Resource Management Through Reuse of Building Materials

Abstract This case study addresses the reutilization of building elements, encompassing the mapping of reusable components during the demolition phase and their reintegration in the refurbishment project Grensen 9b, an office building in Oslo, Norway. Grensen 9b project has the ambition to achieve BREEAM-NOR v6.0 certification at least at the “Very Good” level as well as reducing the CO 2 eq-emissions from building materials by 93% compared to a new build. The research investigates how these practices can impact sustainable development within the building industry through realizing efforts that have a high transferability to the rest of the built environment. Particularly, focus is also with the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and resource management in a life cycle perspective. Through a practical project analysis, current research uncovers the essential steps involved in identifying and preserving elements that can be reused. This process not only mitigates the environmental repercussions of demolition but also diminishes the demand for new materials, consequently reducing the associated carbon footprint. Efforts made to design for future reuse will also be mapped. Such practices hold great potential in the overarching mission of curtailing carbon emissions and aligning with the broader objectives of climate change mitigation and resource optimization. Moreover, this study explores the practical challenges, feasibility, and best practices associated with reusing building elements, and designing for future reuse, making it a valuable resource.