TL;DR
Students at Oslo Metropolitan University have designed Gjenreis, a modular brick system that allows walls to be assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured without mortar. The project emphasizes circular construction and material reuse, showcased at the Built by Design exhibition during 3daysofdesign.
Students at Oslo Metropolitan University have developed Gjenreis, a modular brick system that enables the assembly, disassembly, and reconfiguration of interior walls without mortar, exemplifying innovative approaches to circular construction and material reuse.
Gjenreis was created as part of a bachelor project in product design by students Ariel Hammer and Åshild Limstrand. The system uses reclaimed bricks, designed specifically for mortar-free assembly, allowing components to be easily assembled and taken apart without permanent bonding. The project was showcased at the Built by Design exhibition during 3daysofdesign, emphasizing sustainable and adaptable interior solutions.
The system pairs weathered reclaimed bricks with crafted wooden elements that provide contrast in texture and support modular assembly. It is intended for environments such as restaurants, hotel lobbies, and open-plan workplaces that require flexible interior layouts. The design supports circular construction strategies by extending the lifespan of existing materials and reducing waste associated with demolition.
Developed within OsloMet’s Critical Reflection in Design Practice course, the project involved collaboration with industry partners and aimed to rethink how materials and systems influence architecture. The brick surfaces retain traces of weathering and previous use, highlighting their history and identity, while the wooden components facilitate easy reconfiguration.
Implications for Sustainable Interior Design
The development of Gjenreis demonstrates a practical approach to circular construction by repurposing reclaimed bricks into flexible interior partitions. This approach reduces waste, extends the life of building materials, and supports adaptable spaces, aligning with broader sustainability goals in architecture and interior design. The mortar-free system allows for easy reconfiguration, making it suitable for dynamic environments and reducing the environmental impact of renovations.
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Background on Circular Construction Innovations
The project builds on a growing movement toward circular construction, which emphasizes reuse, adaptability, and resource efficiency. The concept of modular, reconfigurable interior systems has gained traction in recent years as a response to the environmental footprint of traditional demolition and renovation practices. OsloMet’s Built by Design exhibition showcased various student projects exploring material reuse and innovative construction methods, including Gjenreis, which exemplifies these principles through its focus on reclaimed brick and mortar-free assembly.
“Gjenreis offers a new perspective on how we can reuse existing materials in interior design, making spaces more adaptable and environmentally sustainable.”
— an anonymous researcher
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Unclear Aspects of Long-term Durability and Scalability
It is not yet clear how the Gjenreis system performs over extended periods or in various environmental conditions. Additionally, the scalability of the system for larger projects or commercial use remains untested, and further research is needed to evaluate its durability and practicality in real-world applications.
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Next Steps for Development and Broader Adoption
Researchers and designers plan to conduct further testing of the Gjenreis system in different environments to assess its durability and ease of use. There may also be efforts to collaborate with industry partners to develop commercial prototypes and explore integration into existing building practices. The project aims to inspire more circular construction solutions among architects and interior designers.
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Key Questions
Can Gjenreis be used in permanent structures?
Gjenreis is designed primarily for temporary or reconfigurable interior partitions, but further testing is needed to determine its suitability for permanent use.
How easy is it to disassemble and reassemble the brick walls?
The system is designed for mortar-free assembly, allowing for quick disassembly and reconfiguration without specialized tools.
Are the reclaimed bricks treated or modified in any way?
The bricks retain their weathered surfaces and traces of previous use, emphasizing their history and character, with no significant modifications reported.
What types of environments are best suited for Gjenreis?
Flexible environments such as restaurants, hotel lobbies, and open-plan offices are ideal, where interior layouts may need frequent adjustments.
Is the system commercially available yet?
No, Gjenreis remains in the prototype stage, with further development needed before commercial deployment.
Source: designboom
