Due to mining activities, and ground deformations, large parts of the Swedish city Kiruna are forced to relocate. European climate and recycling goals call for increased circular thinking and decreased energy usage when constructing new buildings. When relocating Kiruna, a large amount of demolition waste will be created when most of the buildings within the deformation zone are demolished. This generates the opportunity to upcycle construction materials, both regarding decreased energy usage from construction and transportation, according to climate goals, but also in respect to the heritage of Kiruna.

By investigating the architectural potential of a building typology intending to interpret the heritage of Kiruna, upcycled materials from urban mining come to use. By designing an Interpretation Centre located at a former mining site, the interpretation of the heritage and the reason why Kiruna is moving aims to be collected in one place. Through a design methodology where a co-evolution of a formulated problem and ideas for solutions are developed and refined over time, the project results in a design proposal that connects design drivers derived from cultural, built, historical and natural heritage.