The apartment house LysP8 in Basel by Loeliger Strub shows what a strong impact re-use can have. Many of the building elements —  from the kitchens, sanitary fittings, bricks to parts of the timber structure —  come from different “mines” and give the building its agreeably quirky and colourful appearance. Loeliger Strub use heterogeneity as a design tool. The search for suitable parts turns out be like detective work, the planning calls for flexibility. Formulating contingency plans and allowing room for manoeuvre are essential. House D on the Hobelwerk site in Winterthur designed by Pascal Flammer also works with re-use. But here all the elements have been given a uniform coat of white paint. Both projects show: re-use is clearly worthwhile ecologically, in economic terms above all when processed, high quality building elements are used. A comprehensive approach to sustainability is important, in this regard both the flexible timber structure and the space-saving housing form contribute.