Blog post: Furniture from the old Pohjois-Tapiola koulu school finds a new life

This summer, I worked for the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development of Espoo in the Circular Buildings project, which is looking for ways to reuse construction materials. In this post, I will share my experiences from the demolition site at the old Pohjois-Tapiolan koulu school and the reuse pilot which made me reflect on sustainable construction and the circular economy.

Construction is responsible for one third of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, forcing us to change the way we do things. Through pilots, the Circular Buildings project seeks to bring more sustainable alternatives to the construction sector. You may have bought used furniture at one point or another; vintage and retro furniture are selling like hot cakes at the moment. Pre-loved furniture and second-hand clothing are an effective way to promote the circular economy. What if we also extended this concept to doors, locks, basketball hoops, and bricks?

During the pilot at the old Pohjois-Tapiolan koulu school, I got the chance to see the building emptied, one piece of furniture at a time. When I first arrived at the school on Sepontie, the building’s façade and its 1960s architecture impressed me. What a shame that such a majestic building would soon be gone! Fortunately, the old school still had a lesson for one pupil: Espoo. The old school became the site for a pilot which tested how materials could be recovered intact and reused during demolition projects. 

My job was to take inventory of the bricks that were part of the building's façade. This was easier said than done - there were 60,000 bricks. Some of them will be taken out whole and stored for reuse at a new site. Recovering materials from the façade is a challenge, since buildings are not designed to be dismantled. Perhaps in the future, urban planning could consider the whole life cycle of buildings and possibilities to reuse their materials.

The bricks are not the only materials on the site that will be reused. Many of the fittings and other movable property inside the school were still in good shape, so after taking stock, they were put up for sale on the public auction site Kiertonet. Before this, most of the movable property had already been collected from the building for other schools in Espoo. Kiertonet allows private persons and companies to buy furniture, vehicles, tools, and many other things. The buyers pick up their items directly from the site, which makes the organisation of reuse efforts easier.

Buyers arrive at the school on a warm June morning, and I help by giving instructions on how to take the furniture apart. As I walk into the school, it feels like I am travelling back in time. I note the baby-blue kitchen furniture in the chemistry labs, drying racks manufactured by the Italian design label Cartel hanging above them. At that moment, the buyers start to take the kitchen apart. It makes me happy to know that the kitchen will have a new home.

The furniture comes apart in moments, the enthusiastic buyers motivated by the thought of getting affordable furniture, doors, lamps, and kitchen fittings in good condition. This also gives me the chance to chat with the people who have come to pick up their new furniture and ask what they plan to do with it. One wants to bring metal railings to their cabin; one is getting locks for their company; and one is getting a new kitchen for their home.

Good mood soon turns sour when a group of young people rush into the building without permission. As we try to get them to leave, they start shooting fireworks at the school from its yard. Indeed, vandalism is one of the challenges of reusing materials from demolition sites. People break windows and leave graffiti. This is a shame since materials could be better reused without vandalism. Security and cleaning also bring additional costs.

The pick-up day is busy and makes many local residents curious. Some come by to talk about their school memories, and the group of young people wants to know what will happen to their old school. I explain how the materials are reused to prevent waste. It is important that we create more sustainable solutions for the construction sector, as it is the young people who will have to face the challenges of climate change. We are extremely motivated to change into more sustainable operating methods.

When I ponder the challenges of reuse and demolition sites in my summer job, I start thinking about the old log houses that were moved from one place to another. Perhaps what we are looking for are not simply new operating methods, but a return to the old times when all material was valued. Reuse must start from the design and planning stage to facilitate the utilisation of materials and the adaptability of buildings. Changing operating methods in a large urban organisation is not easy - it is much like trying to turn a big ship around. But changing course is possible, especially with the help of fresh ideas and warm winds.

During the pick-up day, my encounters with locals and the young people showed that the circular economy can also be a communal experience. It brings together different generations and inspires discourse on ways that buildings and materials can keep living in new forms.

The Circular Buildings project is a practical example of efforts in Espoo to reduce emissions from the construction sector and promote the reuse of materials in cooperation with other municipalities in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. Currently, the city is running an innovation challenge which is expected to generate new ideas that could be piloted in the spring. 

Sustainable development means considering the environment, people, and the economy equally; not just for present improvements but for future generations as well. Espoo’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2030 is also reflected in demolition pilot projects which are trying out new solutions for resource-smart construction.

Among others, the pilot promoted the Sustainable Development Goals:

Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities - reusing construction materials reduces waste and supports resource-smart urban planning.

Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production – recycling furniture and materials reduces the need for new products and saves natural resources.

Goal 13: Climate action – reducing emissions from construction is key in climate change mitigation.

The pilot at the Pohjois-Tapiolan koulu school proves that reusing building materials and furniture is not only possible but also meaningful. Each brick, light fixture, or kitchen cabinet that is dismantled intact is one more step towards more sustainable construction and valuing resources. The encounters, memories, and the actual work on the furniture pick-up day remind us that the circular economy is not only a technical solution but also a cultural change.

The next time you need something new, take a moment and ask yourself if you could find it used. Small choices help us build a more sustainable future together.

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Written by: Pinja Lehto, summer worker in the Circular Buildings project in 2025.

City of Espoo, Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, Urban Development and Circular Economy  

Date: 01 September 2025