How to transform buildings with no waste

Søren Pihlmann, founder of pihlmann architects, is among the hottest up-and-coming names in Danish architecture right now. Known for his ambitious approach to transformations, Søren Pihlmann insists on reusing as much of the existing buildings as possible - from plumbing to concrete beams - and adapting them for the new purpose of the building. 

In this episode, host Michael Booth visits Søren Pihlmann at the building site of one of his most radical projects yet: Thoravej 29 in north-west Copenhagen. Here, a former office for a Danish fur company is being transformed into a diverse cultural center, with the use of the materials already at hand at the site. In the episode Søren Pihlmann explains the ideas behind his hardcore approach to the reuse of on-site materials, and reveals why, to him, this approach is about more than sustainability, but also holds potential for a new aesthetic. 

Let’s Talk Architecture is a podcast by Danish Architecture Center, with sound edits by Munch Studio.