Around 40 percent of the world’s CO₂ emissions come from construction and building operations. A new initiative at Folkemødet in the form of a pavilion built from surplus timber invites dialogue and action towards more sustainable construction. The initiative comes from four organisations currently working to realise Denmark’s largest single agreement on timber construction.

Under the theme “The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals”, climate and the environment will take centre stage at this year’s Folkemøde on Bornholm. One of the initiatives is EfterLaden, a pavilion made from recycled timber, which will host debates and events where experts, politicians and commentators seek new solutions to the environmental and climate impact of construction. The initiative is led by Boligselskabet Sjælland, Adserballe & Knudsen, Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects and Holmsgaard Consulting Engineers.

“For us, it is important to create sustainable housing areas and take responsibility for them – socially, economically and environmentally. That is what we stand for, and that is what this timber pavilion represents,” says Bo Jørgensen, CEO of Boligselskabet Sjælland.

The pavilion will be located by the old smokehouse along a public waterfront path, which will remain accessible during Folkemødet. This requirement has placed high demands on the design, developed by Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects.

“Instead of having the pavilion as a stop alongside the path, we have pulled the building apart and allowed the path to pass through it. This creates an open space where passers-by become part of the activities. And not only is the pavilion built from a sustainable material, it is made from a surplus product,” says Michael Schytt Poulsen, Associate Partner at Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects.

The pavilion is constructed as a kit of timber elements that can be dismantled and reused once Folkemødet is over. This means it can be reassembled in other locations in Denmark afterwards. The materials are surplus CLT (cross-laminated timber) elements from the partners’ Skademosen timber housing project in Roskilde – part of Denmark’s largest single agreement for timber construction, comprising over 400 homes.

“It is only natural for us at this point to take part in Folkemødet and highlight the shared responsibility we have as contractors to steer construction towards a more sustainable path. Our framework agreement for CLT housing is a clear example of action before words, and therefore we want to help push for more concrete steps in the development of sustainable construction,” says Rasmus Rømer Lausen, Production Director at Adserballe & Knudsen.

Bonderøven, surplus breakfast and wild seeds on the programme

EfterLaden offers a wide range of activities. The opening debate will bring together, among others, one of Denmark’s largest developers, Pension Danmark (represented by Mia Manghezi), cement supplier Cementir (represented by Thomas Uhd), and timber enthusiast, farmer and speaker Frank Erichsen for a discussion on what can be done here and now.

On Thursday evening, Zetland editor-in-chief Lea Korsgaard, former weather presenter and meteorologist Jesper Theilgaard, and author and commentator Asger Narud will focus on how to translate personal climate commitment into professional action.

The weekend programme at EfterLaden also features breakfast made from surplus food, cloning of bee-friendly plants, and much more. The partners behind the EfterLaden pavilion – Boligselskabet Sjælland, Adserballe & Knudsen, Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects and Holmsgaard Consulting Engineers – are all sustainability partners at this year’s Folkemøde.