Along the A15 in Dodewaard, GMB has realised a new headquarters that reflects the company’s ambition to work fully circularly by 2030. Designed by ARCOM architectuur and realised by Aan de Stegge Twello, the approximately 3,000 m² building brings together offices, workspaces and supporting functions within an almost entirely timber construction.
GPR Building score of 8.5
The sustainability ambitions of the project are supported by a GPR Building score of 8.5, assessing the building across energy, environmental performance, health, quality of use and future value. Rather than treating sustainability as an additional layer, the design incorporates it into the structure, material choices and future adaptability of the building.
Timber construction designed for future reuse
The main load-bearing structure consists of laminated timber columns and beams, combined with timber floor elements, timber-frame external walls and timber window frames. Treetek was closely involved in the engineering, supply and installation of the timber structure, working integrally with the wider design and construction team.
Future disassembly and reuse were considered from an early stage. The timber columns and beams are connected with demountable bolted connections, allowing structural elements to be separated rather than permanently bonded. This approach supports the circular ambitions of the project and extends the potential value of the materials beyond the building’s current lifecycle.
Building predominantly in timber also influenced the architectural and technical development of the project. Structural spans, acoustics, fire safety and the desire to keep as much timber visible as possible had to be considered together. This required close collaboration between architect, contractor, structural engineer IMd Raadgevende Ingenieurs, timber specialist Treetek and the other consultants involved.
A deeply charred façade
For the black exterior, Yoroi façade cladding by Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban was selected. Yoroi is produced from FSC®-certified MOSO® Bamboo X-treme® and receives its deep-black appearance through the controlled charring process.
The charred surface gives the building a strong and restrained material expression, contrasting with the natural timber visible elsewhere in the project. Depending on daylight and viewing angle, the carbonised surface shifts between a deep matte black and a more textured appearance, allowing the façade to remain visually rich without relying on additional colour or decorative finishes.
For this project, the material choice was not based on appearance alone. Yoroi combines high dimensional stability and durability with a B-s1,d0 fire classification according to EN 13501-1, without added chemical fire retardants. This makes the material particularly relevant for timber architecture where material expression, fire performance and sustainability need to be considered together.
Architecture, circularity and material performance
The new headquarters accommodates around 180 workplaces and is intended as both a working environment and a place for employees and partners to meet and collaborate.
Across the project, the architectural language is closely connected to the way the building is constructed. Timber forms the structural basis, connections are designed with future reuse in mind, and the façade combines a renewable raw material with tested technical performance.
The result is a headquarters in which timber construction, circular design, fire safety and architectural expression are approached as parts of the same design strategy rather than as separate requirements.
