The construction sector is responsible for around 11% of national CO₂ emissions. At the same time, we urgently need to build more affordable housing. Rather than making the problems worse, we as architects can contribute to the solutions. How? At NEXT, of course, we have answers to these and other pressing questions.
There is an active search for ways to reduce our carbon footprint: CLT, bio-based materials, circular or regenerative construction, these are terms we increasingly hear. Yet, actual building production is stagnating: “It’s not affordable, not feasible, not proven, there’s no time, we need to stay realistic…”
But it is possible! NEXT architects is already constructing a 'Paris Proof' residential building (118 kg CO₂ / m² GFA, including biogenic storage), and we have gone even further in making this design more sustainable. We re-evaluated and optimized the structure, façade design, and installation concept. The result: a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions, energy consumption, and costs. Because the biggest challenge is making sustainability affordable.
Knowledge development is key. Achieving these goals requires developing and sharing knowledge. Progress only happens when we collaborate with companies that understand what it means to build differently. NEXT architects is part of a wider team, including ENS engineers, Bouwnext, and Vitruvius bouwkostenadvies. Together, we dive into the challenges and push each other to come up with optimizations within our own disciplines. We also develop partial solutions that reinforce each other (for example, in terms of cost and CO₂ reduction). By investing in high-performance (bio-based) insulation and airtightness, fewer installations are needed. And with parametric models, we optimize structural elements for weight, CO₂ emissions, and costs.
After every sustainable building we complete, the next one becomes cheaper and/or better and the process becomes faster. Our team grows together, making each project more efficient. We call this evolutionary design.
We don’t offer a ready-made product, but a ready-made process. The secret behind NEXT natuurlijk lies in the construction products and solutions; the right puzzle pieces to build with effectively. The true value is in how we carefully coordinate these components: improving the façade reduces the need for installations, timber construction reduces foundation requirements, and smart investments lower operational costs, and so on. This creates a unique approach we call NEXT natuurlijk (“NEXT, naturally”).
In each project, we seek the optimum, the point where sustainability pays off. Because there is a direct connection between sustainable building and cost-effective building. Models show that the economic sweet spot lies at 15 kWh per m² per year for total construction and operational costs (TCO), which is far more sustainable than current BENG standards. Energy efficiency also offers more security in times of increasing grid congestion. It ensures your building can still connect to the grid. And if you build according to the principles of NEXT natuurlijk, you can ask your tenants for an energy performance fee, allowing you to quickly recoup your sustainable investments.
In short: like any other beautiful building, it’s not a product nor a building system. It’s simply smarter, more integrated, and affordably designed by a committed team reusing their knowledge and skills to keep improving. It’s ready for the future. NEXT natuurlijk.
