In the Swedish city of Uppsala, one of Sweden’s most ambitious reuse projects provides a test bed for large-scale circular architecture. The 22,000-square-metre redevelopment transforms a condemned 1970s structure into Lumi, a contemporary life sciences building with office, laboratory, and restaurant spaces.
Lumi is certified under LEED v4 BD+C Core and Shell and has achieved a score of 99 out of 110. With the threshold for Platinum set at 80 points, this places the project at the very top of the global ranking. Designed by Scandinavian architecture studio White Arkitekter for Vasakronan, Sweden’s largest real estate company, Lumi is presented as the highest-rated LEED office building in the world. Thanks to extensive reuse and the avoidance of demolition, the project reports a climate impact of around half that of a comparable new timber-frame building.
Adaptive reuse of a condemned structure
The former headquarters of the Swedish Food Agency had been considered unsuitable for future tenants due to poor insulation, small windows, low ceilings, and limited flexibility. Demolition plans were already progressing when White Arkitekter advocated for re-examining the existing structure. Through an intensive programming phase, the studio demonstrated that the concrete frame could be retained and developed. Ultimately, 80 percent of the concrete structure and foundation were preserved.
A new atrium inserted between three building sections reversed the circulation and created a contemporary multi-tenant layout. Existing staircases were repurposed as emergency exits and former lift shafts adapted as ventilation ducts. Openings in the site-cast concrete facades reduced structural weight and enabled a new, well-insulated exterior with larger windows. Three wooden storeys were added, increasing usable area by 40 percent.
Circular construction and material reuse
Reuse was central to the project’s approach, with a focus on retaining and reworking materials wherever practically feasible. White Arkitekter reused elements from the original building, including 70 percent of all doors, 70 percent of the aluminium roof sheets (repurposed as decorative elements such as cladding for the lift tower), 105 tonnes of plasterboard, as well as metal studs, radiators, and electrical boxes.
The facade is clad in slate, selected as a natural material with a low climate impact. Integrated solar panels and improved insulation support energy performance and increase daylight within the interior.
Digital methods, climate strategy, and performance ambitions
To achieve reuse at this scale, the project relied heavily on digital tools. Every component of the existing building was catalogued in a dedicated database and the new structure was modelled with such precision that BIM replaced traditional drawings entirely. This digital workflow supported key decisions in a redesign that incorporates renewable energy technology, extensive recycling, and a circular construction strategy aligned with White Arkitekter’s personal goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. Throughout the process, choices were guided by climate-savings potential, feasibility, and cost considerations.
Urban and user experience improvements
The original building was inward-facing and disconnected from the street. By reorienting the building around a shared courtyard and improving ground-floor activation with shops and restaurants, the project has brought new activity to southern Uppsala city centre. The reconfigured circulation and increased capacity now allow up to six organisations per floor while supporting user well-being and flexibility.
Anders Tväråna, Architect at White Arkitekter, said: “Lumi is a powerful demonstration of how architecture can lead the way in climate action. By committing to reuse at every level — from structure to finishes — we’ve shown that circular design isn’t just possible, it’s desirable. This project proves that the life of a building can continue much longer than previously considered, and that what was once a barrier in southern Uppsala now brings life and movement to the area.”
Jonas Wahlström, Project Manager at Vasakronan, said: “By prioritising large scale reuse and circular design, we’ve not only dramatically reduced the building’s climate impact — we’ve created a modern, flexible space that meets the needs of the tenants and has a positive impact on the local community.”
The project team describes Lumi as the result of strong collaboration between all parties, with input from contractors, project managers, clients, and consultants. Lumi stands as an example of how buildings once considered beyond saving can be transformed into functional, low-impact environments, offering a model for future circular and adaptive reuse projects.
