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Future-proof building without a footprint
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Future-proof building without a footprint
When making different types of buildings and homes more sustainable, it is possible to opt for biobased building materials (renewable fiber crops such as straw, cellulose, hemp, flax, wool) for infrastructure, interior and exterior applications.
The application of biobased offers many benefits for climate (capturing CO2), nature
(< nitrogen), agriculture (new revenue models), and chain parties (contributing to impact by reducing CO2 emissions, opportunities for cooperation, among other things). The result is that residents, users and owners of the homes and buildings live and live healthily, comfortably and cost-consciously. Investors are becoming more and more convinced of the usefulness and necessity of these types of materials.
To make visible what can be directly applied in construction, I have developed a biobased building materials catwalk under the title ‘if I can, I buy biobased’:
https://www.pianoo.nl/nl/themas/maatschappelijk-verantwoord-inkopen/buyer-groups/bouw/buyer-group-biobased-bouwmaterialen
The products are made from natural materials, such as roadside grass, ground old newspapers, hemp, flax, straw, recycled cotton fibres, sheep’s wool, wood fibers and fungal hyphae roots of mushrooms.
The second activity is the development of a Sample Box of Biobased Building Materials for educational institutions.
Growing fiber crops for building materials is not new in the Netherlands. Arable farmers associated with the Innovative Countryside project in North Limburg sowed 15 types of crops to demonstrate that there was sufficient vigor in the Dutch climate: from sorghum to hemp, from flax to elephant grass. Processing usually takes place in Germany. Incidentally, the taxonomy of food-feed-fuel is still valid. The precious Dutch soil requires optimum use of the soil, including the application of rotation and strip cultivation. The latter type of cultivation is suitable for crops to make building materials.
Another example is the agricultural Innovation and Knowledge Center Rusthoeve in Colijnsplaat (Zeeland). The Biobased Innovation Garden Rusthoeve now has experience with the cultivation of more than 100 different potential biobased crops:
https://www.proefboerderij-rusthoeve.nl/p/178/Home
Challenges abound today. Radboud University asks the market to offer a sustainable (nature-inclusive, energy-positive) and maximum circular design for the accommodation of various sciences. Primary school De Verwondering in Almere (architect Daan Bruggink) is a biophilic school in which the stimulation of natural principles on the learning ability of children is recognized and utilized. Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) opened the Langeveld Building in November 2022 with a BREEAM-outstanding certification (sustainability assessment method) and built by BAM Bouw en Techniek. In social housing, we see good examples in Boekel with the eco-village, biobased apartments on West-Terschelling, the 8 ecological
new-build homes in Exloo (DAAD architects commissioned by Woonservice Drenthe) and the Telkesveld district in Brainport Smart District Helmond by Mhome (design, construction and rental).
Subsequently, the cabinet designated 17 so-called NOVEX areas, where 400,000 homes will be built in the coming years. A good opportunity to build circularly.
But who now (re)builds the all-encompassing future-proof home, building or office, including infrastructure? Preferably in varied series construction, so that scaling up becomes child’s play. Which (assembly) factories will pick it up? For example, Plegt-Vos, Koopmans, DaiwaHouseGroup, van Wijnen, and MOOS? Give various circular building materials from natural fibers to recycled plastic and textiles a chance in new construction, renovation and public space. Market parties deliver high-quality buildings and infrastructure on the basis of good commissioning practices. Naturally in stock and with the smallest possible footprint. In this way, our collective real estate remains of value. For the time being, an average of 70,000 homes are added every year.