In the period 15-18 September, members of the Big Buyers Working Together (BBWT) CoP Circular Construction (CoP CC) took part in a study visit to the Faroe Islands. A unique opportunity to discuss with government officials, local officials, architects, urban planners and suppliers about circular construction and how to align tradition and sustainability in the construction sector.  

Circular architecture in practice 

Circular Construction (CC) in the Faroe Islands is implemented through unique architectural projects. The Nordic House is an outstanding example of it.  

Inaugurated in 1983 as the center for Nordic culture, the Nordic House’s building evolved by incorporating sustainability and innovation. “Over 140 participants applied to the open competition in 1970, and none of those considered sustainability”, shares Arni Winther, an architect that has been collaborating with the Nordic House for more than a decade.   

How did the Nordic House become a symbol of circular and sustainable architecture? “One of the secrets of this house is that it kept very high standards and did not compromise. It protected its own identity from the start” - continues Mr. Winther.   

Over the years, new pavilions were built, and new sustainable solutions were introduced: most of the exterior and structural materials are locally sourced, flexible multi-use design of space, good natural lighting that reduces need for artificial lighting; which contributed to the award of the Green Key eco-label.   

The Nordic House has led the project which resulted with the “The Nordic Green Roadmap for Cultural Institutions”: a tool to make it easier for cultural institutions to get started and bring about the green shift. It lists sustainable procurement policies among the measures and elaborates action points related to materials. 

Tradition as a driver of innovation  

The Faroe Islands have a unique tradition of reusing materials. As noted by Hilmar Hogenni from the Faroese Ministry of Environment: “Natural resources are very scarce in the islands and constructions need to be adapted to our landscape”. Traditional buildings are mostly built using stone and floating wood collected from the sea. The absence of nails and glue make these constructions very easy to disassemble and reassemble. Over time, however, buildings have become much more complex, and this attention to the materials and functionality has been put aside.   

The Faroese government is currently revising a 1954 building regulation. It aims to implement more functional planning and better coordination of infrastructure development.  Under this new regulation, for any new construction project larger than 250 square meters, it will be mandatory to plan C&D waste handling and to preserve historical buildings.   

Renewed focus on circularity in urban planning has led to the refurbishment of several buildings across the capital of Torshavn. A former fish factory, used as a warehouse for salt, now hosts a university facility. An old elementary school abandoned for more than ten years will be transformed into a dormitory for students. An old ministerial office will be transformed into students' accommodations.  

Even if it was more costly, the decision to refurbish these buildings instead of a simple demolition was welcomed by citizens. This is because historical value also plays an important role: “Circular construction is not only out of necessity, but it is also out of sentiment towards preserving the landscape”, reports Mr. Hogenni.  

When buildings serve the community 

The study visit was also a great opportunity for participants to discuss the role that culture and the community play in circular construction. Public buildings should not only be empty cubic buildings but should matter for the community and be functional to their needs and habits.  

The Eysturkommuna Town Hall is an extraordinary example of this. Built in 2010, the town hall was designed to be embedded in the landscape, allowing the entire surrounding area to be redesigned in line with traditional architecture and sustainability. “In Faroes it is difficult to see where nature stops and culture begins”, says Mr. Per Martin Gregersen, mayor of Eysturkommuna.  Beyond administrative purposes, the building has been designed as a community space, reclaiming the riverbank as a gathering space and hence giving back public life to the center of the municipality.  

Lessons for public buyers across Europe 

European cooperation through the BBWT Project supports public authorities in learning from each other and exploring new innovative and sustainable solutions. This study visit offered to CoP CC members several key lessons:  

• CC is also about community and culture. Public buildings should serve the real needs of the community and should be embedded in the landscape as much as possible.  

• CC is also about sentiment. Even if more costly, refurbishing a historical building could have more value for citizens.  
• Public tenders should always foresee the possibility to refurbish already existing buildings, how materials can be re-used, recycled, upgraded, how to adapt the building to the needs of the community, how to balance transparency and budget limitations without hindering creativity and innovation.  
• Public buildings should be designed in such a way that sustainability, functionality and innovation can meet. 

The Faroe Islands benefit from some EU legislation by voluntary adoption and implementation, given that due to their specific status of a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.