OBOS takes reuse mapping to new heights with Norwegian-developed technology
OBOS, the Norwegian residential developer headquartered at Hammersborg Torg since 1964, is pioneering a new approach to building renovation by prioritizing material reuse and preservation over demolition and replacement.
The Project Vision
The company’s original expansion plans for its iconic headquarters have been reimagined following economic pressures. Rather than constructing new, OBOS is revitalizing the existing structures before welcoming new tenants in 2026-27. Martine Linnestad, project manager at OBOS Eiendom, explains: “It has mostly been cheaper to replace the old rather than preserve it. That is now changing, and it needs to change.”
The team aims to develop a distinctive interior profile that respects the buildings’ 1960s architecture. According to Kristine Glomsaker, project developer: “The buildings from the 60s have rational and efficient frameworks and a strong identity marker in the architecture that we want to build upon.”
Beyond Mandatory Compliance
Since July 1, 2023, reuse mapping has been mandatory for commercial buildings exceeding 100 square meters producing over 10 tons of renovation waste. However, compliance often stops at report generation. Jens Kristian Hognestad, environmental advisor at Veidekke Circular, observes: “The typical scenario is that a report of around 10 pages is produced and then not used for anything.”
OBOS sought to transform this mandatory exercise into actionable strategy. Beginning in May 2023, comprehensive inspections yielded approximately 100 pages of practical reuse documentation—a substantial improvement over standard compliance reporting.
Norwegian Technology Solutions
The project leveraged two key technological innovations:
Virtual Documentation: Senseloop deployed drones and portable laser cameras to create detailed virtual models of all building areas. This approach dramatically reduced on-site inspection time while maintaining accuracy.
AI Platform Integration: OBOS implemented Findable, a Norwegian-developed AI platform, to organize and make searchable all building documentation. Glomsaker emphasizes: “Documentation is actually critical to achieving reuse.”
An Unconventional Process
The renovation process demanded unprecedented collaboration across disciplines. Interior architects, electricians, ventilation specialists, and operations managers worked from shared decision-making foundations. Hognestad describes this as challenging conventional construction methodologies: “It can be scary to break away from what you know best, which might be new construction, but it will be an absolutely necessary skill going forward.”
The iterative approach required wrestling with incomplete historical documentation while building consensus among traditionally siloed specialties.
Industry Leadership
OBOS aspires to establish a replicable model for future projects. Glomsaker confidently states: “There is no doubt that this is the right thing to do. We want to take social responsibility in the industry because if OBOS can’t do it—who can?”
The company recognizes that stricter EU regulations will eventually mandate such practices, making early adoption a strategic advantage rather than mere environmental virtue.