CircÛbi

CircÛbi (“Circular + Huber”) is a research and learning pavilion at ETH Zurich, created by repurposing materials of the deconstructed Huber Pavilions. This project exemplifies circular construction by integrating reclaimed structural timber trusses with dry, reversible connections, providing hands-on educational opportunities in sustainable building practices, emerging digital technologies and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among students, faculty, and industry partners.

CircÛbi is an initiative at ETH Zurich that integrates digital explorations into hands-on circular construction. The project centers around the reuse of materials from the famous Huber Pavilions, originally built between 1987 and 1991 as temporary lecture studios on ETH campus and deconstructed in 2022, decades later than foreseen. The pavilions were known for their modular structure and ease of disassembly, providing an ideal source of materials for reuse.

Facing the necessity to remove the Huber Pavilions, an interdisciplinary and participatory effort emerged to repurpose their components instead of discarding them and thus transforming and reclaiming the architectural heritage value of the pavilions. This process involved the identification, cataloging, and disassembly of reclaimed materials to later construct the CircÛbi Pavilion on the ETH Zurich campus.

The new project uses iconic reclaimed timber trusses that once supported the roof of the original structure. Employing dry, reversible connections, the novel pavilion is designed for easy disassembly and thus a third life cycle of reuse. The materials are integrated into the new design with minimal processing to preserve their intrinsic value. Students created digital product passports for the components and materials, so that their reuse over several life cycles can be tracked and traced. Plants we

CircÛbi showcases innovation by integrating circular construction principles into education, addressing the challenge of construction waste and resource depletion to the future generation of builders. The practical phase also went beyond traditional classroom learning, recognizing the importance of informal learning processes and hands-on practices for students. While formal education laid the groundwork of technical and factual knowledge, the practical experiences gained during the construction process were invaluable in shaping the creative architects, conservationists, engineers, computer scientists, and researchers needed for the future.This approach provides a replicable model for future educational and construction projects.

Water trickling down the ropes of CircÛbi onto the rock centered below gradually makes an impact and symbolizes the power of design for regeneration, an inherent principle of circularity. Just as droplets can reshape a rock, study and research can ultimately reshape knowledge towards a more circular future. By repurposing the Huber Pavilions’ materials, we highlight another critical principle of circular construction - transforming what would have become waste into wealth. This is not merely about giving a new life to the pavilions’ elements. Instead, it is about ensuring that the materials we use today retain their value tomorrow. Addressing the issue of resource depletion, CircÛbi illustrates the potential of circular construction and the power of persistence, bridging the gap between academia and industry as well as connecting different disciplines.

The project integrates traditional craftsmanship and the latest research in emerging digital technologies such as reality capture (LiDAR scanning, computer vision, machine learning) and in design (generative AI, computational design, optimization algorithms) as well as tracking, tracing and trading. Students from different ETH departments (computer-, material-, environmental-, management-, and social sciences, architecture and engineering) enjoyed a rich learning experience under the guidance of Professors Momoyo Kaijima (department of architecture), Catherine De Wolf (department of civil, environmental and geomatic engineering), and industry partners, such as architects, engineers and on-site contractors. This allowed students to engage in the entire construction process, from conceptual design and digital modeling to hands-on building and assembly.

This experiential learning not only honed their technical skills but also nurtured a sense of leadership towards their roles in preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
The project was not just about showcasing a physical structure; it was a testament to collective endeavor, passion, and dedication, bridging the gap between conceptual design and tangible applications. This real-world project, a first-of-its-kind in Switzerland, empowered students to see the practical implications of their classroom teachings and motivated them to embed sustainability into their professional doings.

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https://library-of-reuse.ch/projects/huber-pavilion

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Our work with reused wooden materials and trusses demonstrates a circular method that directly supports nature's capacity to capture and convert waste into valuable resources. By repurposing these materials, we reduce the need for virgin resources and minimize waste, effectively closing the loop in construction. This approach aligns with nature's regenerative systems, where nothing is wasted, and everything has the potential to be reused or renewed. In doing so, we not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also offer a nature-positive alternative to conventional industry practices, creating structures that work in harmony with the environment.

CircÛbi beautifully embodies the concept of regeneration through its symbolic use of natural elements. The plant climbing from the big reused rock in the middle of the structure illustrates resilience and gradual transformation, with the idea that "any drop can wear a rock," signifying how even the smallest efforts can make an impact over time. The water system that nurtures the plants and helps them thrive on the structure mirrors the nurturing process essential for regeneration—whether in nature, communities, or construction. This thoughtful integration of natural growth into the design creates a living, evolving system, emphasizing sustainability and renewal.

CircÛbi is a pioneering journey into the future of sustainable construction, showcasing the confluence of cutting-edge digital technologies and the timeless principles of circular construction. Students delved deep, addressing every facet of circular construction — from understanding and applying the latest technologies to quantifying environmental impacts, managing construction processes, and mastering the art of scientific communication, exemplified through a film project. This multifaceted approach ensured they had a 360-degree perspective on the subject.

Breaking traditional silos, CircÛbi celebrated interdisciplinarity and turned theoretical knowledge into a lived and memorable experience. By transforming salvaged materials into functional and beautiful architecture, the project offers a tangible example of circularity and challenges the perception of waste. Working together with a diverse group of lecturers, guest speakers bringing their rich expertise, or students from varied departments like architecture, civil engineering, and computer science, every interaction became an opportunity for cross-pollination of ideas. This not only enriched the learning experience but also fostered a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.

The project moved beyond traditional pedagogy by integrating hands-on interactive applications. Many of the salvaged materials were distributed to third independent projects, such as donating 30 windows to Ukraine. Working in such interdisciplinary groups not only widened the students' professional horizons but also instilled in them the value and impact of collaborative thinking, emphasizing that the future of sustainable construction lies in the confluence of varied disciplines.

The project also educates by showing the environmental, social, and economic benefits of reusing materials—such as reducing embodied carbon, lowering construction costs, and supporting local communities. CircÛbi presents circular concepts not just as technical processes but as solutions with real-world impact, making them more compelling and relevant to a broader audience.