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There are many challenges to circular construction, especially in northern climates. All materials must withstand harsh weather, be safe, and meet numerous standards. Material availability can also be an issue, particularly in larger projects.

The Closing Loops project addresses these challenges. The building, which serves as storage space for the City of Helsinki, provides valuable insight into the design, aging, and seasonal performance of reused building components. The long-term goal is to transform these research findings into industry-level best practices.

Few buildings like this exist worldwide: most of its components are not only recycled but also designed to be dismantled and reused again. Closing Loops represents a new kind of high-quality architecture—one that sources its materials from the human-made environment instead of extracting from nature.

‘The building is like a pearl refined from waste. Despite its small size, it has a large impact,’ says Assistant Professor Antti Lehto, who leads the project.