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The new building for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine will not just be a modern and sustainable one – it will also be a model of circular construction. On the site where the Martinus G. de Bruin Building (MGB) currently stands, a new faculty building will rise in the coming years, literally building on its predecessor. Not only in spirit, but also in material. To investigate which components are suitable for reuse, a trial dismantling was recently carried out. We spoke with Liesbeth Kooy, project manager on behalf of Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��, and Jeroen Bergsma, partner and architect at Superuse Studios, about what exactly that entails and why this project is unique in its kind.

What exactly is a trial dismantling, and why are you doing this?

Liesbeth: “The new building for Veterinary Medicine will be constructed on the site of the Martinus G. de Bruin Building. Our ambition is to reuse as many materials from that building as possible in the new one. We want to prevent valuable materials from ending up on the waste heap when they could easily be used for another round. To properly understand what a contractor will later have to do to, for example, dismantle window frames without damage – how much time that takes, what is involved – we are carrying out a trial dismantling.”
Jeroen: “Exactly. You can only organise reuse efficiently once you know what dismantling requires. That’s why we selected a number of elements that occur in large numbers in the MGB – aluminium exterior frames, a wooden door frame and a steel door frame. The estimate was that these could be removed relatively easily and without damage. Such a test helps us determine whether the investment in reuse is also practical and economically feasible.”

How do you determine whether an element is suitable for the new building?

Jeroen: “After the trial we not only look at whether it is physically possible to remove a component, but also at what it delivers. We calculate the costs and the CO₂ savings, but also look at risks and how it fits into the design. For this, we developed a decision tree in which the architect, consultants and client jointly assess whether reuse is responsible. Only if everyone says ‘yes’, an element really qualifies.”
Liesbeth: “That way we ensure that we are not only working sustainably, but also carefully. Reuse is not a goal in itself – it also has to make technical and financial sense.”

How does this project contribute to sustainability in construction?

Liesbeth: “The construction sector is still responsible for a large part of CO₂ emissions. By reusing materials that already exist, we not only save emissions from production, but also from transport. That may seem small, but the impact is enormous.”
Jeroen: “And what makes this project extra special is that we don’t limit reuse to finishes or furniture. We apply it on a relatively large scale, even in heavy structural components such as foundations, steel beams and concrete floors. That yields an enormous CO₂ saving compared to new material.”

Do you expect to be able to reuse many materials from the MGB?

Jeroen: “Yes, the MGB contains many high-quality components that are very suitable for reuse – aluminium frames, interior doors, steel structures. But the new faculty building is larger than the existing one, so we also need extra materials. That’s why we also look at ‘external harvest’: materials from other buildings, preferably within Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� or from the surrounding area, to limit transport. A nice example: the new building will include an atrium. The roof will have a structure made of reused laminated timber beams.”

Will we still recognise anything of the Martinus G. de Bruin Building?

Jeroen: “Definitely. We try to give structural elements a new role – for example as a bridge, staircase or balcony in the central space. The trusses from the old auditorium will literally get a new life there. For those who look closely, the MGB will therefore remain visibly present. And of course, many doors and frames will simply be reused one-to-one. What it will look like exactly? That is still an exciting and creative process.”

Finally – what makes this project special for both of you?

Liesbeth: “For me, it’s pioneering. We’re not doing this because it’s easy, but because it’s important. On a small scale it has already been proven that circular construction is possible, but this project is the next step: showing that it can also be done on a larger scale. It requires cooperation between designers, contractors and the university, and that makes it inspiring.”
Jeroen: “And it shows that circular construction is not only an ideal, but also simply possible. We’re giving an old building a second life. I still find that a contagious idea.”