Large-scale upcycling in Aarhus BSS’s new surroundings
When Aarhus BSS was preparing to move into University City at the former Aarhus Municipal Hospital, an impressive amount of existing furniture came with it. Wegner wishbone chairs, Danish FDB classics, Magnus Olesen chairs, and a vast number of more anonymous task chairs. Instead of viewing them as something to be replaced, they became the starting point for something new.
As architectural advisor, TRANSFORM developed the interior, design, and color strategy for Aarhus BSS based on the architecture of the buildings and their historic color schemes from the 1930s to the 1960s. As one of several design approaches, the very different chairs were given new upholstery and new frame colors to create a monochromatic look and a cohesive whole across the many square meters.
For this project, Holmris B8 was responsible for the complex furniture delivery, including consulting, the delivery of loose and custom-made furniture, the upcycling and maintenance of existing furniture, and the donation of surplus furniture.
Different furniture, individual solutions
Upcycling a single piece of furniture is one thing. Doing the same with thousands of pieces from different manufacturers and of different ages and levels of quality is something else entirely.
A total of 4,700 chairs were inspected, sorted, repaired, repainted, and reupholstered. Tables were cut down and adapted to new needs. Other pieces required individual solutions to make them suitable for their new surroundings.
Upcycling on this scale requires curiosity about each individual piece, a willingness to challenge the way things are usually done, and the courage to experiment. In close collaboration with Aarhus BSS and TRANSFORM, Holmris B8 found solutions for everything from a single worn meeting table to thousands of worn chairs.
For employees, it also means that familiar old pieces of furniture have reappeared in new forms, carrying part of Aarhus BSS’s history forward.
“Holmris B8 has been a strong partner in our efforts to push the boundaries of what is possible within upcycling. They have been solution-oriented and persistent in getting us across the finish line – even across the many different services and tasks involved. It has been a professional collaboration characterized by a high level of personal commitment throughout.”
– Nanna Calmar Andersen, Project Manager, Aarhus BSS
Making upcycling work in a public tender
A project of this size requires more than the ability to carry out the work. Upcycling must also be possible to procure, price, and plan.
How do you price upcycling, when the solution is not a catalog item? And how can an SKI framework agreement (National Procurement Ltd. Denmark) be used for the maintenance and transformation of existing furniture rather than solely for purchasing new furniture?
Aarhus BSS, TRANSFORM, and AU Procurement were responsible for defining and preparing the tender documents, while Holmris B8 advised on how the ambitions could be realized in practice.
A collaboration that has pushed boundaries
The project was created through close collaboration between several parties. As tenants and developer, Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, and FEAS created the conditions for these ambitions. TRANSFORM developed and planned the interior design and the strategy behind it, with a high degree of user involvement, while AART Architects was responsible for the transformation of the former Aarhus Municipal Hospital.
For Holmris B8, the project truly challenged the possibilities of upcycling and pushed the boundaries in terms of scale, solutions, and working methods.
See what upcycling across 36,000 m² can look like in the photos below.
Upcycled chairs
Photos: Rasmus Hjortshøj og Aarhus University
