Upcycle House
Exploring planetary responsibility
Upcycle House is an innovative single-family home, that explored how far carbon emissions could be reduced by exclusively using recycled and upcycled building materials.
The house is more than a home; it’s a statement. It shows how circular principles can transform global challenges into opportunities, reducing environmental impact, creating local jobs, and inspiring a new way of building for a regenerative future.
The house achieved an 86% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to a conventional reference house, setting a new benchmark for sustainable construction.
Location
Nyborg, Denmark
Area
140 m2
Typology
Residential
Collaborators
Egen Vinding og Datter
Artelia
Year
2011 – 2013
Status
Completed
Client
Realdania By & Byg A/S
Services
Architectural consulting
Photos by
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Upcycle House redefines value by transforming discarded materials into high-performing building components. Two repurposed shipping containers form the structural core, while facades and roofing are clad in recycled aluminum.
Inside, OSB panels from surplus wood, cork flooring from champagne cork waste, and tiles made of recycled glass create a warm, contemporary aesthetic. Insulation from paper wool and granulated styrofoam further reduces environmental impact.
The design goes beyond materials. Passive strategies like natural ventilation, thermal mass walls of reused plastic bottles, and a greenhouse for biodiversity and homegrown food minimize operational energy use. Screw-pile foundations replace concrete, cutting emissions and enabling future disassembly.
