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Revolution in construction: Berlin shows how recycled concrete is shaping the future!
Königs Wusterhausen is researching circular building with the “Maison Westend” residential project in Berlin – a prime example of sustainable concrete.
Revolution in construction: Berlin shows how recycled concrete is shaping the future!
When it comes to sustainable construction, an exciting experiment is currently taking place in Berlin that could revolutionize the construction industry. The “Maison Westend” residential building project impressively shows how circular construction can be successfully implemented with concrete. At a time when the consumption of resources and the environmentally harmful production of concrete are being criticized, this project presents itself as a best practice example. Because one thing is clear: concrete is the most used building material worldwide, and it is high time to break new ground. With this ambitious project, the architects at Tchoban Voss as well as the Lagrande Group and degewo AG as builders are laying the foundation for a more sustainable future in building construction, according to CleanThinking.
Before the “Maison Westend” was built, there were two high-rise residential buildings from the 1960s on this site that could no longer be renovated. In order to reduce the environmental impact to a minimum, the dismantling was carried out according to type. The RWG Group processed the broken concrete material on site, which made it possible to use the recycled Type 1 aggregate obtained directly in the new building. Recycled concrete can even have up to 30% less CO₂ than conventional concrete - a real win for the environment!
New ways in construction
The expansion of circular building construction approaches is very important in Berlin. There is currently a growing acceptance of alternative building materials that are not only more environmentally friendly but also offer economic benefits. The use of CO₂-reduced recipes when using concrete and the use of clinker-efficient cements are crucial steps in the right direction. The fact that RC concrete has now become part of public tenders in Berlin is a sign of this change and shows that a good knack for innovative solutions is demonstrated here.
As the Building Forum describes, the construction industry is facing a fundamental transformation. Circular construction aims to keep materials in closed cycles for a long time and without loss of quality, which promotes resource conservation. The construction sector causes more than 55% of waste in Germany, which is why the need for a rethink is more than overdue. With proper design, an estimated 15 billion tons of material could be reused in Germany's building stock.
The look into the future
Sustainable construction cannot be implemented overnight. But projects like the “Maison Westend” show that recycled concrete is not just a theoretical possibility, but can be successfully integrated into practice. The construction group has also used digital concrete sensors that monitor temperature development and early strength. This innovative approach could make Berlin a pioneer in the transformation of the construction sector.
The combination of digitalization, the planned digital building resource pass and urban mining design will significantly shape future construction projects. The goal must be to recycle at least 70% of construction and demolition waste. With a current recycling rate of around 90% for mineral waste, a lot has already been achieved, but there is still a long way to go. The EU and the federal government are working diligently to create the framework conditions for a resource-saving economy and to prepare the construction sector for future challenges.
All in all, it is clear that the “Maison Westend” is not just a residential building project, but also a sign of change in building culture. With a little courage to change and the right tools, Berlin could make a decisive contribution to sustainability in the construction industry.