ferluhönnun

Ferlu hönnun is an Icelandic approach to design that emphasizes the creation of closed‑loop or circular systems within built environments and industrial processes. The term combines *ferlu*, which is derived from *ferli* meaning “process” or “course,” with *hönnun*, the Icelandic word for “design.” It is intended to guide engineers, architects, and planners to develop solutions that reduce waste, enhance resource efficiency, and promote sustainability across the entire lifecycle of a project.

The methodology begins with a comprehensive life‑cycle assessment of the components involved, identifying points where materials can be recycled, reused, or repurposed. Designers then structure workflows so that outputs from one stage become inputs for another, creating a repeating loop that mimics natural ecosystems. In construction, ferlu hönnun might involve modular building blocks that can be disassembled and relocated, or the incorporation of on‑site waste treatment systems that feed recycled water back into the building’s HVAC. In manufacturing, the approach encourages the use of biomaterials and reversible assembly techniques to enable easy end‑of‑life disassembly.

Ferlu hönnun has been adopted in several Icelandic municipalities to inform city planning and to support the country’s renewable energy strategy. Examples include the Reykjavík circular‑transport zone, where service vehicles are powered by geothermal fuels and share charging infrastructure, and the Hafnarfjörður timber‑product project, which recycles sawdust into engineered panels. Critics note that the upfront costs of implementing fully closed‑loop systems can be high and that market structures for recycled materials sometimes lag behind the ideal circular model. Nevertheless, advocates argue that the long‑term environmental benefits and the resilience built into supply chains make ferlu hönnun a key tool for advancing sustainable development in Iceland and beyond.