The Circular Architecture Accelerator
The Circular Architecture Accelerator (RAK) is a 2-year, four-semester training programme aimed at architectural offices, the aim of which is to mediate up-to-date knowledge in the field of sustainable architecture and construction. The broader goal of the project is to increase the competitiveness of architects in the field of circular and environmentally sustainable design, to increase competitiveness in foreign markets, and to promote discussion on sustainable spatial design and knowledge transfer between practitioners in the field of architecture and academia. The RAK in-service training programme is primarily aimed at practicing architects. In addition, the accelerator also includes important topic blocks for representatives of the public sector involved in spatial design and planning, developers, as well as seminars aimed at the general public. The RAK programme consists of seminars, study trips (Oslo, Brussels, Zurich and Copenhagen) and workshops. The RAK programme is compiled and carried out by the Estonian Centre of Architecture. The training programme is co-financed by the European Union.
17 Estonian architectural offices have joined the full-scale training programme of the Circular Architecture Accelerator. The first course started in the spring of 2024 and even though the study group has been assembled, you can participate in a number of seminars, study trips and workshops.
Upcoming events:
RAK 4th semester: autumn 2025
Buildings designed according to the principles of the circular economy take into account the entire life cycle of the building and allow parts of the building to be adapted, repaired, maintained and restructured as needed. The goal is to preserve the value of the building in a changing environment by using materials that can be adapted and separately removed. In addition to the physical building, regenerative architecture also includes a creative process where design, material procurement, testing and the involvement of experts are closely linked. This approach creates a symbiosis between the material and social environments and provokes a broader discussion about sustainability and aesthetics.
Climate change reflected in architecture
RAK 1st semester, spring 2024
The construction sector produces 40% of the world’s waste, with 80% of the building’s environmental impact determined in the design phase. How can the building stock to be created contribute to achieving climate neutrality? What is the role of an architect in an increasingly heated spatial context?
Environmentally sustainable and environmentally conscious architecture is not just a trend or a disappearing phenomenon, but value-based spatial design. It also involves the development of a completely new architectural language and dialects, which is based on the possibilities and outputs of Estonia’s own environment. In the first semester, we will study the impact of climate change on our built environment, materials, spatial and legislative drafting. Until now, the design of the European sustainable energy policy has mainly focused on the figures on the energy efficiency of buildings, but the more energy-efficient buildings become, the greater the share of the environmental impact stored in buildings as a result of the production, processing, construction and demolition of building materials. In the light of the new international agreements, buildings will also be treated on the basis of life cycles in Estonia, focusing on all stages before and after construction with a significant environmental impact.
Current Resources
RAK 2nd semester, autumn 2024
The designed lifespan of a building is set at 50 years by default. On the other hand, buildings are built as if forever, as their material layers are often connected into composite wholes and it is often not possible to separate them at the end of the building’s service life. This view of the material as waste lowers the value of the building material (downcycling). However, architecture has the ability to view material as a moving, residual value resource, the value of which can be increased by reuse or reuse during dismantling (upcycling).
The architect and builder of the Middle Ages were often in the same person, and architecture was born on a larger scale on an object, from local matter, and on an intuitive level. Renaissance architectural drawings were already developing into the abstraction of materials, and the architect’s contact with matter began to move away.
Nowadays, we have reached model design with endless virtual collections of materials. In order to solve global environmental problems, spatial design should once again focus on the local context and material bank. Architecture should move back towards a material-centred identity and focus on materials that have already been produced or are left over.
The term “urban stock” originally originates from the Japanese industry’s independence from China, under which the recovery of man-made material reserves is making its way into architectural practice.
Regenerative materials
RAK 3rd semester, spring 2025
An integral part of the architectural language and culture are the materials from which we design the built environment.
In architecture, regenerative materials have become increasingly important as our society strives to find sustainable solutions to adapt to environmental impacts. Regenerative materials are shifting the construction industry away from a traditional linear approach to the life cycle and materials of a building towards circular construction. Such materials not only enable the reduction of the carbon and environmental footprint of the construction sector, but also play an important role in the sustainable use of our natural resources.
Regenerative architecture is an integral part of regenerative materials. It is an approach that does not only focus on reducing environmental damage but actively creates positive impacts on ecosystems and communities. This means that buildings are not only consumers of resources, but also supporters of biodiversity, carbon sinks and energy producers. Interaction with nature is at the heart of regenerative architecture, where buildings not only consume fewer resources, but also help restore biodiversity and support ecosystems. Energy and water management are also important, with regenerative buildings producing more energy than they consume and supporting closed water cycle systems, such as rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling.
In conclusion, the application of regenerative materials and architectural principles means construction that does not harm, but contributes to the integral improvement of the environment and society.
Brave New World
RAK 4th semester, autumn 2025
In the autumn semester of 2025, the Circular Architecture Accelerator programme will reach its final phase. The focus of the last semester is “Brave New World” – a reference to Aldous Huxley’s work of the same name, but in RAK’s approach it represents a bold, hopeful and critical look at the possible future worlds that we consciously want to shape.
The focus topics of the final semester are:
THE ARCHITECT AS A CREATOR OF THE WORLD
How architects create visions of the future, not just buildings?
The architect as a construction artist and creative person.
New generation case studies and speculative practices in spatial design.
ADAPTIVE SPATIAL DESIGN AND RADICAL OPTIMISM
The idea that what already exists can be improved and improved without demolition. Sustainable urban planning and community development strategies.
Spaces that adapt to the growing and shrinking needs of the residents.
ECO-TOURISM AND TECHNO-HANDICRAFT
Innovative fusion between nature, technology and traditions.
Biomaterials, low-tech approach and synergies of folk skills.
Rethinking technologies for the service of ecology and the community.
NEW FORMS OF OWNERSHIP AND VALUES
Housing projects involving public financing.
Development based on common ownership and community-centred construction.
Creating networks based on caring and sharing.
FAIR AND INCLUSIVE SPATIAL DESIGNThe approach to urban spatial design in public space.
Safe spatial design in public space.
Accessibility mapping on the example of both vulnerable and minority
groups.
How to develop towards a diverse, accessible and more equal urban space?
STUDY TRIP TO COPENHAGEN
29 to 31 October, the participants in the training programme of the Circular Architecture Accelerator will have an opportunity to participate in the second study trip to Copenhagen, where the focus will be on spatial design, materials science and environmental awareness. We welcome all those who were not able to attend last time as well as new people to participate. We are going to visit several architectural offices, research centres and construction sites: Natural Material Studio, Resource Rows (Lendager), Thoravej 29 (Pihlmann Architects), Office Kim Lenschow, Juul Frost Arkitekter, CINARK (Royal Danish Academy), as well as the ETC Hyllie residential development in Malmö and the office of Kaminsky Arkitektur. The Danish Centre for Architecture (DAC) will host the exhibition “Age of Nature”, which focuses on the role of nature in the architecture of the future. Every destination – from a studio experimenting with bio-based materials to a community centre born from a recycled factory – reflects the same question: how to build so that the world doesn’t wear out, but improves?
The price of the study trip is 1800+VAT EUR and the amount can be paid in two instalments.
If you are interested, please write to rak@arhitektuurikeskus.ee.
Information and registration
Training programme is organised by
Andrea Tamm and Mariann Drell
Estonian Centre for Architecture
Participants and supporters
RAK I graduates
Architecture office Eek & Mutso; DAGOpen; Polaarhunt; Kolm Koma Architects; Salto AB; Kadarik Tüür Architects; Architect Must; Kauss; Architects SPORT; NÜÜD Architects; Ambient Design; Lumberlov; KAVAKAVA; Punktiir; APEX Architecture office; PLUSS Architects; Molumba.
Co-financing
The training programme is co-financed by the European Union from the funds of the Cohesion and Internal Security Fund operational programmes for the period 2021-2027. The amount of the grant is €149,998.80.
