Recycle!

Exhibition

Apr 11 - Sep 10, 2025

Everything we build has value – even after it has been used. How can we rediscover the beauty of reuse and create a future where used materials gain new life and circular resources take on new value? How can reuse become part of architecture’s aesthetic? What does architecture look like if we stop throwing things away?

Construction is one of the world’s biggest climate offenders. We build, demolish, and discard resources as if they are infinite. But a new movement is gaining ground—we are starting to build circularly. Across different places, design and construction are being reimagined to make use of what already exists. More buildings are being preserved, and repurposed materials are finding new functions.

But how do we make reuse the most attractive choice in architecture? What does the future of architecture look like if we no longer see building waste as waste?

This exhibition presents architecture that challenges the way we build. See how concrete from demolished buildings is reborn in new structures. Feel how reclaimed wood finds new life in modern architecture. Experience installations that reveal the beauty of imperfection.

To change the way we build, we must rethink—together. Architects, engineers, and artists are developing solutions that are both functional and beautiful. But this transformation also depends on you. Only when we all recognize the value of preserving and repurposing materials can we truly change the future of architecture.

Explore the exhibition

Reuse is not just a necessity – it is an opportunity
In this exhibition, you’ll discover how we can build smarter, more beautifully, and more sustainably by working with what we already have.
Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj

Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj
Experience a piece of Børsen in the exhibition
When the Old Stock Exchange burned down, we lost a 400-year-old national treasure. The fire and the now towerless ruin evoke strong emotions and remind us that bricks can hold a story.
Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj

An exhibition built on reuse
As you move through Recycle!, you’re stepping into a hands-on example of circular exhibition design. Every single detail – right down to the last screw – is tracked and ready to be reused. The scenography is built from elements used in previous DAC exhibitions, and even mattresses, podiums, and signage have been repurposed. One installation from Water is Coming by architecture studio MAST now lives on as a poetic rest area.
This is all part of DAC’s commitment as a certified Green Attraction – where sustainability isn’t just on display, it’s part of how we build.
Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj