Circular Construction in Copenhagen

A New Purpose for Old Bricks

As urban areas expand to meet the needs of growing populations, the demand for construction materials intensifies.

Optimizing resource efficiency, minimizing waste and keeping materials in long-term use is increasingly important. This raises the question of how to maximize the value of construction materials, by reintegrating them into new construction projects.

CRH is creating value through modern circular construction practices. CRH in Denmark creates bespoke concrete structures – from walls to staircases – that are poured, hardened and delivered to the jobsite to match any project specification.

The company was involved in creating a façade of over 73,000 square feet for the sandwich concrete elements of CPH Pulse. This, in turn, was ornamented with thousands of recycled brick hues in a full spectrum of reds.

Around eighty thousand bricks were cleaned and tested for durability, before being divided in two and affixed to the concrete structure. The repurposed bricks add an infusion of color to the façade and create a striking look to the finished structure.

In addition, the hollow core slabs produced by CRH in Denmark and used in this project are made from 10% recycled aggregates, minimizing waste and maximizing material efficiency.

In total, CRH contributed over 345,000 square feet of concrete elements to this project, including hollow core slabs, stairs, beams and columns.

Built to last – and reuse

By reusing materials in this way, CRH is helping to reduce waste, while finding creative ways to infuse more beauty into the built environment – without sacrificing functionality.