Circular

The renovation of the historic Mining Engineering Building (Mijnbouwkunde) at TU Delft, in the Netherlands, represents a significant step in sustainable office transformation. Designed and engineered by Haskoning, the project has turned a 1912 monumental structure into a Paris Proof workplace — an office that meets the stringent energy targets of the Paris Agreement while preserving its architectural heritage. © Lucas van der Wee Caption   Adaptive reuse and design strategy The central design intervention is the creation of two glass-covered atriums — East and West — that form the heart of the building. Slender glass roofs, supported by steel columns, enclose the former open courtyards, improving spa... More

UNIQUE WOODEN LABORATORY BUILDING REALISED WITH THE FIRST APPLICATION OF PRETTY PLASTIC’S NEW BASIC THIRD TILES: Plus Ultra III will be a future-proof building offering some 7,600 m2 of space for laboratories, pilot plants, and offices. As the construction is made almost entirely of wood (CLT), the building is at the forefront of sustainability. One cubic metre of wood stores around 1 tonne of CO2; during the production of CLT, around 150 kilograms of CO2 are released. This creates a CO2-negative construction. Proof of the Sum The façade tiles are especially designed for Plus Ultra III in collaboration with the architects from Proof of the Sum. The ‘Basic Third’ tiles can be easily installed on the underlyin... More

Located along the serene coastline, the Whitburn Coastal Conservation Centre stands as a symbol of sustainable architecture.  https://www.graeme-peacock.com/ https://www.graeme-peacock.com/ Covering more than 160 square meters, this innovative structure is constructed with Pretty Plastic's First One tiles. Crafted from 100% recycled PVC plastic, these tiles offer both durability and visual allure while championing the preservation of our planet's natural resources.  https://www.graeme-peacock.com/ MawsonKerr Architects, in collaboration with contractor Arcas, brought this vision to life, with a total of 3,896 kilograms of waste upcycled in the process. Together they designed and built a centre where the different... More

THE TONGELREEP: INNOVATION IN CIRCULAR ARCHITECTURE For the renovation of the Tongelreep, a national swimming centre and an iconic building in Eindhoven, the choice fell on Pretty Plastic due to its sustainability, aesthetic versatility, and local character of the product. Slangen+Koenis Architects, responsible for the design, believed in the potential of Pretty Plastic from the outset. The start-up collaborated smoothly with the Municipality of Eindhoven and contractor Mertens Bouwbedrijf to ensure the project maintained its circular character. https://www.maarten.photos/ https://www.maarten.photos/ The façade concept for the Tongelreep seamlessly aligns with the existing swimming stadium, featuring a robust anthracite b... More

A new office building for the communal yards of the city of Amsterdam. A building where the city workers who maintain the parks, streets, street lighting and sidewalks, are based. We set ourselves the goal to design a building without an ‘ecological footprint’. A circular building that does not rely on finite resources of mother earth. Jorn van Eck Of course this is an almost impossible task. Nobody really knows how to do this to its full extend. This fact gave us space to experiment. To re-view the contemporary logic of building and to come up with an alternative in design and construction. Jorn van Eck Because how can we build a communal yard without using finite materials? To begin with, the building uses no energ... More

“To understand the processes in the construction sector, you have to do and experience it yourself” – Ninja Zurheide, 2019 The house at the Duinluststraat is a well-designed house and an apartment in a row of self-build houses in Amsterdam Noord. That is special in itself. This house is extra special because we built it ourselves. So not only designed, but also built. We thought that was needed. Thijs Wolzak In our design practice we notice that the Dutch building tradition is … complicated. The process is stacked in a linear column of client – architect – main contractor – subcontractor. It makes construction rigid and difficult. Ideally the client makes a perfect List of Requirements, the... More

The design combination of bureau SLA,  Inbo, Overtreders W, Woonpioniers and Boom Landscape won the design assignment for a new cultural heart on Berlijnplein in Utrecht Leidse Rijn, united in the “De Pleinmakers” consortium. Caption Cultural Heart Berlijnplein is a new cultural development of 9,200 m2, including the design of layout of the associated site. The cultural heart will allow for exhibition and presentation spaces, studios for dance, theater and music, workshops, catering and workshops for education and the creative industry. Naturally, the buildings and area will facilitate creativity, innovation and network events. The culture cluster is built and operated in a circular and energy-neutral way and is flexi... More

On the outskirts of Bergen, we designed a passive house for a family with young children. The big monumental trees that grow on the site create a gorgeous setting for the new family residence. Carefully, we blended the house into the surroundings to make it feel as the house is on a par with nature.  Jan Willem Dragt The ambition to build a house with low energy consumption and a healthy climate was trendsetting for all our design choices. The house is orientated in such a way that the trees provide cooling shade in the summer. In addition, the built overhangs help to control the indoor climate. Jan Willem Dragt Circular Architecture We chose for a circular timber-frame construction system with fronts covered with brick an... More

This renowned circular neighbourhood was initiated and developed by a group of enthusiasts with a shared dream: to build a sustainable, close-knit community on the water. The initiators of Schoonschip commissioned Space&Matter to develop an urban plan, and together with a team of multidisciplinary experts and future residents, we designed the urban plan, plot passport and smart jetty that unite this inspiring community. Alan Jensen “Living on the water offers a great solution for places where climate change and a rise in sea levels are a looming hazard. It not only protects people against nature, but it also protects nature itself.”— Sascha Glasl, Co-founder Space&Matter Isabel Nabuurs Created and d... More

PHYSIOTHERAPY IN A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT The WILDSPITZE MARGERITTA by Organoid creates an optical highlight in the therapy centre Luttinger. The untreaded materials on the breathable and 100% natural flax backing positively impact the indoor climate. The health benefits of a natural interior design underline the effect of physiotherapy on people’s well-being. Therapie Luttinger CONSCIOUS AND HEALTHY INTERIOR DESIGN Design spaces for the healthcare sector with a true focus on well-being – with Organoid surfaces. The scent of various natural materials can positively impact one’s inner state and the look of the untreated plants creates visual interest and a sense of relaxation. The surface WILDSPITZE MARGERITTA a... More

The project consisting of the construction of 16 Finch modules was completed at the beginning of 2017. All parties involved have innovated when it comes to the interpretation of temporary spatial development. Leiden is the first municipality in the Netherlands that has given a guarantee to move the modules – after an initial temporary destination – to elsewhere in the municipality. This form of guarantee on the ground is also known as the ground subscription. With this commitment, Woningstichting Ons Doel has been able to purchase the high-quality product of Finch Buildings, instead of low-quality containers or unit construction that are often ready for demolition after ten years. Because the municipality has made a long-term c... More

Fast, clean and circular constructionThe hybrid residential tower consists of 30 linked and stacked wooden prefab modules around a concrete elevator shaft. The timber modules are already equipped with installations and sanitary facilities in the factory and there they are prepared for transport to the construction site. This saves construction time and storage on location. This efficient production process already saves a maximum amount of CO2 compared to traditional construction. The prefab wood module construction reduces production errors and improves the construction speed. After all, production takes place under conditioned conditions. The modules are then transported on a truck to the construction site and placed there immediately. Wo... More