A client who consciously chooses circular and biobased remodeling. You still see that far too rarely, thinks architect and owner of FDarchitecten. That's why his renovation project makes him happy.
Ralph, you want to spotlight a remodeling project. What kind of project is it exactly?
"It is about the revitalization of a commercial building. The starting point is circular (re)construction and bio-based insulation. We are insulating from the inside with wood wool and cellulose. In this, we leave the cavity as it is. Air sealing is brought up to passive house level.
Part of the roof will be raised. From that we use what we can reuse, for example the roof beams. Part of the roof is being insulated from above. But there's also a part from 2011, so it doesn't need replacing yet. That won't be done for another 10 years."
Why does this project make you happy?
"The client specifically asked us to do a circular and biobased revitalization. We don't get that question often enough for a commercial building. By opting for conversion instead of new construction, a lot of environmental costs, and CO2 in particular, are avoided. Because we also carry out the conversion in a circular and biobased manner, we save materials and store even more CO2 in the long term.
"Reuse, circular design, biobased building materials and making the building energy efficient saves substantially in environmental costs and CO2, according to the Building Circularity Index BCI. This is so important because the construction industry is responsible for 20 percent of the Netherlands' CO2 emissions. If we continue to build in the current way, we will already go through our CO2 budget in 2027 if we want to stay within 1.5 degrees of warming. I would like to pass on our world more beautiful to the next generation, our children.
"What's extra nice is that the client is going to use the newly remodeled premises as an example and showcase towards its clients, such as housing associations. We hope that the demand for circular and biobased revitalization will grow even further as a result."
What else is innovative about this project?
"The project is even more innovative because of the EnerPHit approach. This involves phased energy improvements based on natural replacement or maintenance moments. This way we work step by step towards to a highly energy-efficient building, by doing the right thing right the first time at the appropriate times. For example, improving the roof and insulation only when the roof from 2011 is due for renovation. Or replacing the glass from that same era only when it is leaky and in need of replacement. However, it will then be replaced with triple glazing. In this way, you can save up to 90 percent energy."
What about affordability?
"The additional cost is very low, it's really limited compared to standard insulation. That's because of the smart construction. As a result, you save on labor. The subsidy for biobased insulation materials also definitely helps. Not to mention the greater comfort, which adds value.
"In my eyes at least, this deserves to be emulated. Because only if we start building much more - if not everything - circular and biobased, will we stay within our CO2 budget with construction."
About Merry Construction News
The world is bleak enough, so we ask our readers what makes them cheerful. In the Cheerful Construction News section, they tell us themselves why a project, a piece of equipment or a way of working excites them. It doesn't matter, as long as it brightens up even a dreary Tuesday morning.
If you would like to share your happy construction news, please email the editors.
