A 14-floor residential building in Malmö, Sweden, is using repurposed heat exchanger plates from Alfa Laval as exterior cladding, marking a unique approach to circular construction. The building, named Droppen, was developed by Granitor Properties as part of the Embassy of Sharing initiative, which focuses on ecological and social sustainability.
Droppen incorporates reused bricks at ground level and stainless steel heat exchanger plates from Alfa Laval on its upper façade. According to the developers, the high-quality stainless steel makes the plates suitable as a durable and functional façade material.
Designed by Swedish architect Gert Wingårdh, the building also prioritizes social inclusion. Communal areas such as a rooftop terrace, outdoor gym, running track, and a multifunctional laundry room aim to foster community interaction and enhance safety.
Wanda Zubillaga, project lead at Wingårdhs in Malmö, said: “What made this project especially compelling was the reuse process and the journey behind it. In collaboration with Stena Recycling, we mapped available material flows and ultimately developed a façade from repurposed heat exchanger plates. It was a non-traditional design process that demanded flexibility and creativity, but the result was both refined and successful.”
The building’s technical features, including a well-insulated structure and LED lighting in all apartments, contribute to low energy consumption.
31 May 2025