The Future Of Architecture In Luxembourg UNstudio Slashes Kyklos Building Carbon Emissions By 80%

UNStudio, in partnership with HYP Architects, has won a design competition for the Kyklos building, the final part of Luxembourg’s Belval redevelopment project. This project aims to promote sustainability by striving for the lowest possible carbon footprint through innovative design and material selection. Although achieving net-zero operational status is significant, UNStudio notes that the materials used in a building contribute to most of its carbon footprint (about 90%), surpassing the impact of its operations over time.

This realization has prompted UNStudio to commit to designing structures with minimal embodied carbon. The architects have stated that “timber alone is not the answer.” UNStudio is actively calculating the new Kyklos building’s carbon footprint in Luxembourg, and the outcome will be a hybrid solution.

UNStudio’s Hybrid Steel-Concrete Structure

In designing the Kyklos Building in Luxembourg, UNStudio and HYP Architects have created the Carbon Builder tool. This tool allows designers to examine and improve their projects’ carbon impact carefully. The Carbon Builder tool played a significant role in shaping the design of the Kyklos building, resulting in an impressive 80% reduction in embodied carbon compared to a standard Luxembourg office building.

The building will be constructed using a hybrid steel-concrete structure specifically chosen for its superior long-term carbon performance. The project further reduces its environmental impact by using 100% recycled steel and refining concrete mixtures. This approach results in an anticipated embodied carbon footprint of 115kg CO2 equivalent/m2, significantly better than the typical 580 kg/m2 of Luxembourg office buildings.

UNStudio is dedicated to promoting environmental and human well-being, which is evident in the Kyklos building in Luxembourg. The building is poised to attain BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Platinum certifications, reflecting its commitment to providing a healthy and sustainable environment for its occupants. This aligns perfectly with the values of Belval and its residents.

The name ‘Kyklos’ is derived from the Greek word for ‘circle,’ it aptly reflects the building’s symbolic role as the final piece in completing the Place des Bassins design. This central square, which features interconnected basins, symbolizes the transformation of the former industrial site into a dynamic urban space. The sustainable design of the Kyklos building serves as the third loop, symbolizing the future of Belval’s development and its dedication to a greener tomorrow.

Project Title: Kyklos Building
Architecture: UNStudio
Local Architect: HYP Architects
UNStudio Team: Ben Van Berkel, Arjan Dingste with Stella Nikolakaki, Bruno Peris Vila and Cristobal Ignacio Burgos Sanhueza, Laura Lopez Iglesias, Regiane Fernandes de Oliveira, Taliia Nurutdinova, Matthias Kooijman
City: Belval
Country: Luxembourg