Danish taphouse’s reusable design makes it adaptable to changing climate

Thanks to its recyclable components, the building can be easily moved and reused, should the area become inundated with water

Spotted: With the threat of rising sea levels, waterfront property does not currently look like a good investment. However, Denmark’s Adept Architecture is turning the uncertainty into an opportunity, with its sustainable and reusable building design. The Braunstein Brewery Taphouse, located in the Danish city of Koege, is located along the harbour, in an area considered to be a potential part of the city’s climate adaptation strategy. However, thanks to its recyclable components, the building can be easily moved and reused, should the area become inundated with water.

The Taphouse is constructed from a small range of building materials, which are all sustainable. As far as possible, the materials are not mixed, allowing for their later reuse in other projects with minimal processing. This also reduces the volume of waste generated on the construction. The structure is put together using mechanical joints only, like a giant set of Mechano, making it easy to disassemble without wasting other elements.

The large roof surfaces are made from click-joint polycarbonate, which can be easily disassembled and reused. Other elements include unfinished wood, steel and glass, including a reflective glass facade which lets in light and allow guests to look out on the harbour while they dine. Inside, wooden floors incorporate product waste from a nearby flooring manufacturer, and the exterior wood element is constructed from CO2-neutral, long-lasting Accoya timber. 

The taphouse generates part of its electricity using solar panels and natural ventilation, which reduces the need for mechanical systems and makes it even easier to disassemble. According to Adept, the building has been designed to not only lift out but to fit in easily as well, saying “The historic buildings and the raw industrial atmosphere at the harbour has inspired the architecture and the urban spaces around it. The result is a clean-cut architecture that strengthens the identity of the area and a visibly anchored building – both belonging and completely its own.”

Along with climate-proofing structures, architects are developing ever-more efficient and sustainable practices. Springwise has watched this develop over the past decades, with innovations such as an emergency shelter that transforms into a permanent dwelling and a regenerative housing ecosystem.

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