A collection of materials that have either been shortlisted or successfully used in projects by Buro Happold.
Denmark’s construction sector, responsible for around 30% of the nation’s CO₂ emissions, is set to undergo a transformation with the release of new guidelines promoting biobased building materials. Developed as part of Realdania’s initiative Veje til biobaseret byggeri (Pathways to Biobased Construction), these guidelines aim to bridge the gap between research and practical application, addressing one of the major barriers to adopting biobased materials: a lack of clear guidance and guarantees on material durability.
The guidelines target construction professionals, educators, and craftspeople, offering detailed instructions on using materials like hemp, straw, and grass. Currently, only limited information and validation exist for these materials, leaving craftspeople hesitant to adopt them due to the lack of guarantees. According to Jacob Becker-Christensen, Director of LINX Association, “Practical guidelines are crucial for material adoption. Without them, professionals cannot issue guarantees, which is a key obstacle to using biobased materials.” (from Realdania)
To address this issue, material manufacturers involved in the project, including Havnens Hænder, Woodfiber, EcoCocon, and Fremtidens Fundament, will provide guarantees for the materials and systems described in the guidelines. This assurance is expected to reduce the uncertainty surrounding the use of new materials, encouraging broader adoption.
David Rangan, Chief Consultant at the Centre for Sustainable Building Guidelines, emphasises, “Guarantees are essential for the transition. Without authorised guidelines as a basis, craftsmen remain reluctant to utilise biobased solutions.” (from Realdania)
The project enlists Nikolova/Aarsø Architects to lead a consultancy team in gathering the latest knowledge on biobased materials. This team, in collaboration with working groups of master craftspeople, architects, suppliers, and material specialists, will translate research insights into actionable guidelines. These guidelines will then be tested and disseminated through courses, workshops, and advisory sessions for architects and builders.
The project prioritises creating validated construction systems aligned with building regulations. “By consolidating all available knowledge and developing complete building systems, we can make it significantly easier for stakeholders to design healthier, lower-impact housing,” notes Rangan. (from Realdania)
The guidelines will be published on the websites of LINX Association, the Centre for Sustainable Building Guidelines, and Realdania in autumn 2025. By making these resources publicly accessible, the initiative hopes to facilitate a shift toward using renewable, low-carbon materials in Denmark’s construction industry.
This comprehensive approach ensures that biobased materials can move quicker from research labs into mainstream construction while simultaneously meeting the needs of an industry in dire need of new, low-impact solutions.
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