| Front page | | Contents | | Previous | | Next |

Byggeøkologisk Udstillingspavillion

Summary

The idea behind the exhibition hall originates from a discussion in connection with a conference, "Ecology in the building trade", which was held in Trekantsområdet. (collaboration between five towns in central Denmark) The result was a cooperation project between Byggecentrum (exhibition area for the building trade) in Middelfart and Landsforeningen Økologisk Byggeri, LØB. (Ecological building association) whereby Byggecentrum put a 700 m² stand/area at the disposal of LØB LØB’s stand/area was situated in Byggecentrum’s newest exhibition area – the plan being to construct a 300 m² building.

LØB’s intention with the project was to create an organisational and financial framework for establishing an ecological building exhibition pavilion.

The overall objectives of the project were:

To throw light on and broaden knowledge of sustainable building products and their use, by creating a framework, whereby small producers of sustainable building products can get into contact with a broad public.

To strengthen and accelerate the development of environmentally sound products within the building trade, by the use of ecological criteria for building products.

To contribute to the discussion about ecological architecture/urban sustainability by developing a building, where aspects of architecture and ecology are viewed as a whole.

The project started with a successful and well-attended exhibition, "Denmark’s first exhibition of products with exact informative labelling", in a 350 m² tent. Among the events were workshops and project days on ecological buildings and product declaration of building products. Suggestions for criteria for the sustainable construction were presented.

It is generally difficult, although not impossible, for producers to obtain the relevant data regarding building materials. Experience shows that the producers are taken by surprise when they become aware of the problematic substances in their products, which are concealed behind innocent trade names. This process has initiated cleaner technology projects. For example more local authorities are beginning to demand exact labelling of building products.

It was the intention of the project to collect information on the different product declaration systems from other countries, and then to present an adaptable (pragmatic) LØB declaration. LØB was particularly interested in the Dutch NIBE declaration and evaluation system. During a study tour to Germany, LØB visited ecological buildings, drawing offices and building merchants and saw how, at the large trade fairs in Germany, it is possible to exhibit a great variety of building materials with exact labelling!

LØB intends to cooperate with two other projects on By og Byg, which come under The Ecological Action Plan, with the aim of testing the results on Byggecentrum.

Following a meeting with thhe Middelfart local authority technical department, it became clear, however, that under the local plan it would not be possible to find the staff to service the pavilion, and that the local authority would not make an exemption. Therefore, in September 1999, Byggecentrum offered the project a 200 m² uninsulated exhibition building "Råhuset".

The building needed extensive restoration work and rebuilding and, following a survey, the restoration work was started.

It is quite obvious that the economy behind such a project is rather limited. After the final conference on the 23^rd of April of the Ecological Action Plan, the exhibition hall was used for displaying the different projects.

The exhibition concept consists of 3 exhibition types:

These different forms of exhibitions have all been tested.

Since 1999, LØB’s trade group, ‘Alternative Insulation’ exhibited building constructions on a scale 1:1. Pictures from the exhibition can be seen on LØB’s web site, www.lob.dk.

In addition to the daily opening hours, the exhibition has been shown at various events.

Our future expectations to the exhibition activities are guaranteed by a yearly turnover of approximately 300.000 DKK. Den Grønne jobpulje (The Green Job Pool) is supporting the initial activities to launch exhibition activities in 2001. The project is based on cooperation with future users. This network has been built up, resulting from participation in various national meetings, debates and support groups, where the relevant problems can be discussed. Likewise, we have worked towards the organisation of trade groups, who are interested in an open cooperation – by combining our knowledge and energy, it will be possible to meet the demands in the established building trade.

With respect to procedures and authorities, the relationship between the exhibition enterprise and LØB’s other collaborators should be cllarified. The plan of action, which was the basis for the election of the present LØB’s management board, takes it’s starting point in trade groups and networks, which requires a flat structure – a result of the projecs work with organisational structure.

Many people would like to build by sustainable methods, but either are not aware of the aspects to be considered, or do not know where they can get information on sustainable building specifications. On the other hand, producers of sustainable building materials find it difficult to make their products known to a wider audience. A permanent exhibition on sustainable construction at Byggecentrum will be the perfect location to promote information and advice concerning ecological building specifications and materials. More than 125.000 exhibitors and 15.000 conference guests visit Byggecentrum every year.

News on the Building Centre project has been given in various newspaper articles, magazines as well as radio and TV.

| Front page | | Contents | | Previous | | Next | | Top |