The first graduates with a specialisation in construction and sustainability are currently completing their studies at the Department of Construction and Building Design.

Sofie Kjær Vesterbæk and Charlotte Quorning are the very first.

“It has been incredibly exciting to specialise in sustainability – and a bit of a gamble. We didn’t know what we were letting ourselves in for, but we’ve never regretted choosing this path,” they say.

They recently received top marks for their bachelor project, in which they show how single-family homes can be renovated and divided to help address the future housing and climate crisis.

A very timely and innovative project, says Malte Kvist Brøgger Kjer, an examiner and sustainability engineer at Artelia.

“When we talk about sustainability in construction, Sofie and Charlotte take a broad view and consider alternatives to the way we build and live today. This provides valuable perspectives on how we can achieve the necessary CO₂ reductions,” he says.

He is impressed by the thoroughness and understanding of the construction processes that the two graduates demonstrate.

“With their specialisation, they can immediately start working on renovation and sustainability in an architecture firm or engineering company. They could also make excellent colleagues for me at Artelia, for example,” he adds.

Denmark has almost 1.2 million single-family homes, many of which are detached houses. While new construction is the usual response to housing shortages, it also produces high CO₂ emissions.

Sofie and Charlotte’s calculations show that an existing home can be divided three times before its climate impact equals that of a newly built detached house.

The project therefore outlines how to convert single-family homes into multi-family units, increasing housing capacity while reducing the carbon footprint – without compromising quality of life.

A conclusion that impresses Morten Knudsen and Karin Holst Laursen, who supervised the specialisation and guided the project.

“Sofie and Charlotte have done an excellent project. They show the enormous potential of subdividing detached houses and how we can design our homes more sustainably.”

Sofie and Charlotte are part of the first cohort at the Department of Construction and Building Design to take the new specialisation in construction and sustainability.

“We chose it because we wanted a more holistic approach and to be involved in many aspects of a construction project. The specialisation has given us a very good understanding of the processes, and we have tested our knowledge during our internships,” they say.

“We know that we will encounter reality and possibly some resistance in practice, but we feel well prepared and ready to help develop the industry.”

This is not an unnecessary concern, notes Malte Kvist Brøgger Kjer, who points out that there is usually a gap between theory and practice for most new graduates. However, he emphasises that the specialisation covers many elements of a renovation project that are not always addressed elsewhere.

“They have broad knowledge and understanding of materials, durability, and buildability. This means they can act as a bridge between different disciplines and consider the project as a whole,” he explains.

Sofie and Charlotte spoke with banks, real estate agents, engineers, and architects, gaining an almost anthropological understanding of the entire project.

In their report, they conclude that converting a detached house into a multi-family home must overcome three barriers:

Economic barriers – considered manageable, as costs typically fall within the scope of standard renovation projects. A key condition is that the division does not reduce the property’s value, as this could make banks more cautious and limit financing options.

Regulatory barriers – a significant limitation, especially if permanent subdivision is to be implemented in all growth municipalities. Such development requires changes at a broader political level.

Social barriers – require a shift in public perception of the ideal home. Cultural changes like this take time and require pilot projects and more experience in the field.

On sustainability, the conclusion is clear: making better use of the existing housing stock allows more people to live on the same square metres, reducing the need for new construction and the associated climate impact.

The potential for subdividing detached houses in Denmark could reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 47,000 tonnes per year, according to the cases Sofie and Charlotte analysed.

Their LCA calculations also show that an existing home can be divided three times before its climate impact equals that of a newly built detached house.

Overall, the project demonstrates that subdividing single-family homes holds significant potential as a sustainable strategy.