How can the cabin become part of the cycle?

Holiday homes today account for a significant consumption of resources – both in construction, operation and maintenance. At the same time, many of them remain empty for large parts of the year.

To meet future sustainability demands, we must build, use and manage holiday homes in a way that keeps resources in the cycle longer.

In a traditional, linear system, raw materials and materials are extracted, transformed into buildings or products over a certain period of time and ultimately end up as waste.

A new, circular system seeks to keep materials, buildings and infrastructure in use for as long as possible, preferably with high value and minimal loss of resources along the way.

Concepts related to resource use

  • A system where materials and products are kept in the loop for as long as possible, while reducing waste and resource use.

    Circular value creation occurs within two interdependent cycles. The biological cycle includes organic materials such as wood, vegetation, soil and biodegradable products. These are returned to nature and contribute to nutrition, fertility and ecosystem services.

    In the technical cycle, materials such as metals, concrete and glass are kept in circulation through reuse, repair, upgrading and remanufacturing – so that their value is preserved for as long as possible.

  • Actual use of existing holiday homes and buildings. By increasing the intensity of use, it is possible to meet demand without taking up new, untouched natural areas.

    Higher usage helps preserve existing investments and reduces the environmental impact resulting from new construction.

  • Sharing solutions (co-owners, equipment banks and shared services) reduce the need for duplicate areas and resources.
    Lowers demand for new holiday homes and distributes the environmental impact across more users.

  • Conversion involves taking underutilized buildings in rural areas into use – such as unused barns, schools, service buildings – and adapting them for new recreational purposes.

    In this way, the development of new areas is reduced, cultural and historical qualities are preserved and material consumption is reduced.

  • Leisure concepts that emphasize smaller size, smarter layouts and more reversible building solutions, often based on low-tech and local materials.

    Also includes reversible holiday homes that can be dismantled, moved or adapted – so that building parts and materials can be reused.

  • Use of locally sourced materials, regional crafts, local services and short value chains.

  • The total energy use associated with the extraction of raw materials, processing, production and transportation of building materials.

    Embodied carbon includes all greenhouse gas emissions that occur through material production, transportation and construction processes.

  • An industrial process in which used products or components are collected, disassembled, inspected, repaired and reassembled to achieve the same (or better) quality and performance as a new product.

Five strategies for more circular recreational home development

The measures are organized into five strategies that can be used individually or in combination:

  1. Share more – share both recreational homes and equipment

    • Facilitates rental, cooperative housing or home exchange

    • Establish leisure banks with shared equipment and common solutions

  2. Convert – give new functions to underused buildings

    • Change the use of existing agricultural buildings, schools, industrial premises or offices

    • Combine with new activities such as themed tourism or seasonal events

  3. Continue – create more in already developed areas

    • Add more units or beds to existing areas

    • Extend the season where infrastructure is already established

  4. Simplify – build smaller, smarter and more flexible

    • Small-scale, square-smart design with low-tech solutions

    • Portable buildings, reversible construction and locally produced materials

  5. Manage – active maintenance and adaptation

    • Ongoing maintenance to extend service life

    • Adapt buildings to new needs without demolishing or building new

Principles for reducing the footprint of your recreational home

Start with the location

  • Take as a starting point existing natural and building resources.

  • Preserve what has value, reuse what already exists, and plan the whole before the details.

Think about the size

  • Smaller buildings result in less material use and lower operating costs.

  • Closer placement reduces the need for infrastructure and terrain intervention.

Choose multifunctional solutions

  • Plan flexible spaces and functions that can be used in multiple ways throughout the year.

Act consciously

  • Support local suppliers and products with locally sourced and sustainable raw materials.

  • Avoid materials from unethical or environmentally harmful production.

Maintenance and customization

  • Take care of what you have through ongoing maintenance.

  • Adapt buildings to new needs rather than demolishing or replacing functioning parts.

Choose the right materials

  • Use non-toxic, durable and repairable materials that can be dismantled and reused.

  • Avoid composite materials and problematic substances.

Avoid and reduce

  • Limit the use of concrete, plastic-based insulation materials and tropical wood.

  • Plan for the safe handling and replacement of hazardous materials.

Close the local circuits

  • Use solutions for water, sewage and waste that keep resources in circulation locally.

Reuse rather than recycling

  • Preserve materials in their original form whenever possible – this saves both energy and resources.

Low-tech and biomimetics

  • Choose solutions that work without advanced technology, and let nature's own principles inspire the design.

How to get started with the work

Municipalities:

  • Map existing buildings and areas with low use

  • Facilitate sharing schemes and conversion projects in zoning plans

  • Prioritize densification over new construction on virgin land

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs):

  • Develop services for maintenance, upgrading and sharing

  • Offer buildings with flexible and reversible solutions

  • Use materials that can be reused or recycled

Learn more

Benefits for municipalities and businesses

  • Reduced pressure on untouched nature

  • Lower greenhouse gas emissions from construction and operations

  • New revenue streams from sharing, maintenance, and conversion

  • More vibrant local communities through increased activity year-round