Academic profile

Wesley Lanckriet as architect/researcher for VUB Architectural Engineering

Type of assignment

Research project

Description

The Circular Retrofit Lab is a pilot project of the European Horizon 2020 project 'Buildings As Material Banks' and is located in the student modules designed by architect Willy Van Der Meeren on the VUB campus at Pleinlaan. Wesley Lanckriet and the team of VUB Architectural Engineering applied their knowledge during the renovation of the student buildings, using only building materials that are dismountable, reversible and reusable. It is the first time that such a circular renovation project has been carried out successfully in Europe.

VUB Architectural Engineering acts as research and design expert within this strategic research project.

A cluster of famous student housing modules were transformed into a demonstration lab. The Circular Retrofit Lab also allows the functions of the modules to be changed over time, from workplaces and dissemination rooms to classrooms, labs, ecological guest rooms and can always serve as a student dormitory again. The project was able to count on the support of prominent partners from the building world. Their support includes the integration of existing (dynamic) solutions in the lab, the joint development of new building solutions, financing through material donations or leasing, etc. The Circular Retrofit Lab is a demonstration lab for future-oriented solutions that can be found in all layers of the project.

Results

+ Realised circular renovation project
+ Expertise in circular design
+ Development of new circular applications

Client

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Architect

Kaderstudio

Technical engineering

MK Engineering

Funding

European Horizon2020 program
Private sponsors