Circular Valley Construction Hub in Krefeld launches practical program for circular renovation
16.04.2026When is circular renovation worth it? This is the question being explored by the Circular Valley Construction Hub in Krefeld through its new hands-on program. At the emerging start-up center, circular construction will be tested under real-life conditions.
The building on Luisenstraße is currently being renovated
© Circular Valley
With the establishment of the Circular Valley Construction Hub in Krefeld, one of the construction industry’s key future topics is taking concrete shape: how circular renovation can be implemented economically in existing buildings. Starting in 2026, a practice-oriented annual program will systematically investigate for the first time: When is circular renovation worthwhile – and when is it not?
The Circular Valley Construction Hub, a joint project of the Circular Valley Foundation and Krefeld's economic development agency Krefeld Business, is being developed in a new start-up center on Luisenstraße, a former silk factory that is itself currently being renovated according to circular economy principles. This means the building will serve not only as a location but also as a demonstration object for circular construction in practice.
From idea to application: focus on economic viability
“Circular renovation is often described as a model for the future. What interests us is its practical application: Where is it already economically viable – and where is it not yet?” says project manager Monika Zurnatzis from Krefeld Business.
The annual program is designed as a multi-stage practical process. It begins with framing the key question together with regional construction and real estate stakeholders. This is followed by workshop formats held directly on the construction site on Luisenstraße, where issues such as material reuse, construction processes, and new business models are tested under real conditions. These are complemented by concrete practical experiments, for example on the use of secondary materials in interior construction or on modular usage concepts.
The insights gained will be presented in a consolidated form at the Circular Valley Forum 2026 and will be translated into a public exhibition upon the building’s opening in 2027. The program will also be supported by an interview series featuring already completed projects in order to generate reliable empirical data for the construction industry.
A real-world laboratory for the construction transition
The Circular Valley Construction Hub sees itself as a real-world laboratory for circular construction. In Krefeld, a large stock of buildings in need of renovation meets industrial expertise and openness to new approaches. “The building on Luisenstraße will become a prime example of circular construction. Something new is being created from an existing structure, and this is exactly where we can demonstrate how sustainable renovation works in practice,” says Dr. Carsten Gerhardt, Chairman of the Circular Valley Foundation.
The goal is to move circular construction from isolated pilot projects into widespread application and to develop new business models for the construction industry.
Cooperation strengthens the regional economy
The hub is a joint project of the Circular Valley Foundation and Krefeld Business. While the city ensures regional networking, Circular Valley contributes its international network of companies, start-ups, academia, and policymakers. “For an industrial location like Krefeld, the circular economy is a highly relevant topic,” says Eckart Preen, Managing Director of Krefeld Business. “New economic opportunities are emerging here, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.”
The hub is specifically aimed at companies along the entire value chain – from planning and construction to materials management and from deconstruction to recycling. Craft businesses and SMEs in particular can benefit from new business areas, such as selective deconstruction or the reuse of building materials.
Buildings as material banks
At the core of the approach is a fundamental shift in thinking: buildings are no longer seen as one-time structures, but as material banks. The goal is to keep high-quality building materials in circulation for as long as possible, reuse them, and thus preserve their value.
This includes the use of reusable and low-pollutant materials, the incorporation of materials recovered from the deconstruction of existing buildings, and planning approaches that consider future dismantling and reuse from the very beginning.
A place for networking and innovation
At the same time, an open space for exchange and collaboration is being created on Luisenstraße. Planned activities include networking events, expert conferences, and construction site tours, as well as collaborations between start-ups, crafts, and industry. In addition, a digital platform will be developed to connect stakeholders in the construction sector and enable new forms of cooperation.
This will position the Circular Valley Construction Hub as a central hub for circular construction in the Rhine-Ruhr region.
The opening of the start-up center is planned for 2027. Initial formats and pilot projects will begin during the construction phase. The long-term goal is to make circular renovation economically scalable and thereby contribute to the transformation of the construction industry.
