Re-use in Danish Vernacular Architecture: Examples and Their Future Versatility

With climate change, there is an urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions, for instance, the ones related to the building sector. Contemporary building has developed into having a larger climate impact in the construction phase than in the operational phase which highlights the necessity to rethink resources. At the same time, research into connections between sustainability and Danish preindustrial vernacular architecture shows a widespread re-use of building materials and components. As a logical consequence, this paper investigates vernacular approaches to resource management in the form of re-use with a view to discuss the versatility of such in future building. The first part of the paper explores examples of re-use in preindustrial vernacular architecture. To achieve this objective, the paper initiates the methodic and analytical framework. Next, a literature review is presented to provide general information on re-use in architectural heritage and to focus on the two case studies. Through the case studies, examples of re-use and recycling are identified and outlined. The second part of the paper discusses the extent to which the vernacular approaches to re-use have the potential to contribute to future sustainable building and the possible challenges.