Pioneer project in Oslo Science Park: Old pipes provide new heat

“It’s actually the first time I know of technical materials like pipes being reused in a project in Norway,” says Geir Jansen, Technical Manager and Sustainability Officer at Andenæs VVS. “This is a pioneering project.”

The pipes in question had previously been in service at the Rikshospitalet in Oslo. When it was decided to demolish that facility, Jansen knew exactly where the material could be given new life.

“I knew what was going to be renovated here at Oslo Science Park, and I knew what dimensions were needed. When I saw the pipes being dismantled, I thought: ‘These are a perfect fit.’ It was almost like an organ transplant – the right part in the right place,” he says with a smile.

A Rare Practice in the Construction Industry

The reuse of technical components is still almost unheard of in the HVAC industry. According to Jansen, the sector has for generations been marked by a “use and discard” mentality.

“There is resistance to this. Both because it’s unfamiliar and because it requires more planning. But we have to stop seeing it as extra work. It’s sustainability, and it’s the future,” he says.

Erik Ersnes, Technical Manager at Oslo Science Park, is passionately committed to sustainability and reuse, and appreciates the collaboration with Andenæs.

“We’ve worked closely with Geir and Andenæs for many years. When he came up with the idea of reuse, it was natural for us to say yes. We have a sustainability strategy that’s not just for show – we’re here to live it, not just display it on a poster,” says Ersnes.

Logistics and timing is a challenge

Reuse requires more than good intentions. The logistics are demanding, and timing is critical.

“You have to be in the right place at the right time. You need to know which components are being phased out – and have a place to use them. It’s extremely rare that things align as well as they did here,” says Jansen.

He calls for a national system for the storage and distribution of used technical materials. The Norwegian company Loopfront is developing a digital platform for circular resource management and has already made great progress with building materials, but technical equipment is lagging behind.

"Imagine having a database where you can search for a five-meter DN80 pipe and instantly see where it’s available as a reused item. That doesn’t exist for technical installations today, but we’re in talks with Loopfront to develop it," Jansen says.

"Loopfront is an important partner. They have a very good system for traceability and documentation, and we hope they’ll take a more active role in technical materials as well. There’s huge potential there," he adds.

Economy and environment in the same pipeline

Reuse isn’t just about the environment. It also brings financial benefits.

"We significantly reduced material costs in this project. And it also enables us to qualify for green loans, improve our sustainability rating, and build a more resilient property portfolio," says Ersnes.

"It’s a win-win. And it’s inspired us to do more. When planning larger renovations, we map all equipment in the buildings to assess its reuse potential. Ventilation ducts, glass panels, toilets – everything is considered."

The future is built with old parts

Both Jansen and Ersnes agree: the future is not just about new technologies and smart solutions, but also about smart reuse.

"We need to move away from the idea that new is best. What we’ve done here at Forskningsparken is just the beginning. Reuse must become a natural part of the design phase – not an afterthought," says Jansen.

"And we need to collaborate," Ersnes concludes. "This isn’t about showing off. It’s about doing what works."