Rotterdam in development

113 R O T T E R D A M I N O N T W I K K E L I N G | 2 0 1 8 resources is now known as ‘circularity’. The ultimate goal is to close the circuit. The opportunity presented by circularity is now a permanent part of Architectuur Maken’s design briefs. For the interior of waste energy company AVR, an assignment carried out in collaboration with Fokkema & Partners, the architects are looking into options that would make the interior entirely waste-based. For the design of a private Duinhuis (dune house), the brief uses only sustainable and natural materials, with an emphasis on re- use. “We are going to put up a shed on the plot to store materials we pick up all over the place,” says Nina. “We’ll have to run a couple more collection campaigns before we can start building.” In an original way, focused on participation, the architects are also applying the waste-based principle to the renovation of the clubhouse at Weena Playground. Children collect PET bottles, which the Rotterdam firm Better Future Factory turns into tiles. The clubhouse will receive a new façade made out of their ‘New Marble’ tiles. “It’s easy for us to find partners for a lot of projects from our network in Rotterdam,” Ferry explains. WOODEN EUROMAST Architectuur Maken is one of several entrepreneurs featured on the website of Rotterdam Circulair, which aims to accelerate a circular economy through collaboration and knowledge sharing (see graphic). The website includes other circular initiatives from enthusiastic Rotterdam entrepreneurs. “When we reveal what we’re working on, it doesn’t only make it easier to find partners in Rotterdam; we also inspire others.” Nina and Ferry have given yet another intriguing meaning to circularity. With their research and the workshop ‘The Euromast – built circularly’, they have redesigned the classic icon of the Reconstruction of Rotterdam, primarily in wood. “People’s first reaction is: ‘That enormous wooden Euromast – no way!’ But, together with builder Rutger Snoek, we show that it is possible. I feel that asking questions and inspiration make up a large part of what architecture is. By asking the right questions and demonstrating inspiring examples, you can also get seasoned developers on side.” This study has caused them to re-evaluate wood as a building material, Nina says. Wood is great for circular construction: “European forests are growing by 764 million cubic metres a year. Using sixty per cent of the increase, you could build a Euromast every 2.7 seconds. With utopian thinking you can convince people to change.” ROTTERDAM CIRCULAIR One of Rotterdam’s ambitions is for circularity to become the benchmark by 2030: using resources sparingly and continually re-using products. This is necessary because the waste mountain is growing and the climate is changing, while resources are being used up. This ambition of Rotterdam’s does not stand alone; it is linked to the Roadmap Next Economy and the government’s course for Nederland Circulair (Circular Netherlands). ROTTERDAM APPROACH We will discover how to get there along the way, and we will achieve that together, because everyone’s knowledge is necessary. This demands that we look at the city, the industry and the port in a new light; to find a new way of thinking and acting. It is focused on new ideas, innovation and experimenting. Rotterdam Circulair wants to strengthen collaboration and knowledge sharing and accelerate the movement. Would you like to find out more, set up your own initiative or be inspired? Visit www.rotterdamcirculair.nl .