Drastic’s Nordic Demonstrator: reclaiming timber for innovative structural and load-bearing purposes within temporary buildings

Timber utilisation plays a critical role in carbon sequestration (the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide) and other practices that benefit the environment. However, the extraction of virgin timber can lead to unintended adverse effects, such as biodiversity loss and increased land use pressure. As a result, it is more sustainable to prolong the lifespan of materials by reclaiming timber from structures that no longer serve a useful purpose and repurposing it in new constructions. 

The primary aim of the Nordic Demonstrator is to explore the local market interest in temporary commercial buildings. In this Demonstrator, various uses of reclaimed timber will be examined, ranging from storage facilities for roadworks to specific applications such as a tool shed for a re-sawmill in Hønefoss. Additionally, there will be a significant focus on employing and refining processes that minimise damage to materials, ensuring they can be reused across multiple lifecycle stages.  
 

This initiative is led by three key partners under the Drastic project; Omtre, Produktif, and the Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech).

Omtre's approach to recycling wood from demolition sites will be integrated with Produktif's design for assembly and disassembly (DFAD) process, including intelligent connectors and sub-assembly components, to create temporary commercial buildings. These structures can be quickly erected and taken apart. Researchers from TalTech, based in Estonia, will assess technical risks, conduct initial studies, and evaluate the final performance of the products.  

Addressing the challenges of using reclaimed wood

A significant challenge posed by this Demonstrator is the absence of standards for assessing reclaimed wood. In Norway, new standards are currently being proposed under the SirkTRE project. Drastic hopes to build further upon SirkTRE’s outcomes by working on Estonian regulations and, where feasible, pursuing the standardisation of wood grading at a European level.

Produktif aims to further develop initial prototypes using new timber for structural applications, and also to conduct fire and structural testing in collaboration with Taltech. By focusing on quick product assembly and disassembly, Produktif intends to reduce labour costs, making the solution more cost-effective and suitable for multiple life cycles. Their design facilitates future disassembly, with smart connectors allowing for the use of varied materials, including reclaimed wood.  

Construction of a circular tool shed using reclaimed wood

In the spring and summer of 2025, Omtre plans to collect reclaimed wood from various abandoned barns across Norway. These materials will be graded, tagged, and sent to Produktif for pre-assembly into components, then re-labeled before being used by Omtre to construct a tool shed on-site in Hønefoss, Norway. This shed will stand for at least a year, after which it will be dismantled, and the materials will be stored for future reuse.

These physical processes will also be connected with other digital solutions provided by Drastic, streamlining sustainability assessments, diagnosis and quality checks and traceability over multiple (re)use cycles.