Podcast

Construction Comes Round to Circularity

Circular construction is no longer just a question of moral or environmental obligations, but an increasingly essential part of business efficiency and resilience.

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In this episode of Shaping Sustainable Places, we explore how circularity, climate performance and business value go hand in hand. We are joined by Anna Denell, Chief Sustainability Director at Vasakronan, and Barbro Brattström Grujovic, Development Lead on Circularity for Industrial Solutions at Skanska Sweden, to discuss how the industry is shifting its mindset from extracting virgin materials to maximizing what we already have.

The conversation centers around Kaj 16, a groundbreaking project in Gothenburg, Sweden. Faced with the necessity of replacing a 35-year-old office building at serious risk of damage from climate change, Vasakronan and Skanska teamed up to push the boundaries of what's possible. Rather than “demolishing” the old building, they dismantled it, successfully reusing 10,000 metric tons of the concrete frame to build the foundation of the new one.

Key takeaways

Rethinking "traditional" construction: Why the history of building was actually 100% circular, and how we need to return to that mindset to reduce our reliance on virgin raw materials.
The hard business case for circularity: How ambitious sustainability targets directly lead to lower debt costs through green financing, higher tenant retention and long-term business survival.
The Kaj 16 case study: The challenges and triumphs of executing a 100% circular demolition and proving that old concrete can be safely and efficiently reused on-site.

The power of brave partnerships: Why groundbreaking innovation requires clients who dare to demand the impossible, and contractors who are willing to team up and push technical limits to solve it.
The future of the industry: Why the coming boom in circular construction will be driven not just by sustainability, but by resilience, preparedness, and the need to cut costs.

Featured guests:

Anna Denell, Chief Sustainability Director, Vasakronan
Barbro Brattström Grujovic, Development Lead on Circularity for Industrial Solutions, Skanska Sweden
Host: Malin Dalén

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