Circl, Amsterdam

The ‘Circl’ pavilion is unique in the Netherlands: the first constructed practical example of sustainable and circular designs. The reuse of the applied materials was factored into the process right from the start. With the realisation of a circular pavilion, a philosophy has been put into practice. Together with client ABN AMRO, the TU Delft and the BAM, solutions have been found for problems that presented themselves along the way. The will and drive of the team to realise a maximum circular building has led to the ultimate feasible result: Circl has become a beautiful reference point for where we are as regards circularity.

Contribution to the SDGs
Project architect Hans Hammink: ‘We used a design strategy in which waste is avoided as far as possible. This starts with the reuse of materials that have had a previous life. As far as possible, parts of the structure have been put together in such a way that in the event of a replacement or demolition, they can be reused. Various parts, such as lifts and lighting, have been supplied via a lease construction and remain the property of the supplier.’


Goal 6. Clean water and sanitation

The toilets in circl are flushed with collected rainwater.

Goal 7. Affordable clean energy

Circl has direct current provision throughout the entire building.

Circl is cladded with solar panels that produce the direct current provided throughout the building.

Goal 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure

All materials, components and parts that make up the building have been recorded in a ‘digital twin’; the building passport is named LLMNT.

Goal 10. Reduced inequalities

A number of employees of the Circl pavilion are disabled and fully integrated.

Goal 11. Sustainable cities

The lifts in Circl have not been purchased, but have been leased and will return to the manufacturer after ten years.

The materials used for the floors in Circl once had a different application: rejected wooden window frames have been cut into wooden floors and tiled floors were made from reused concrete with added PCM (phase changing materials) that controls the indoor climate.

The timber support structure is made from fully dismountable locally sourced Larch wood.

Old jeans of employees and partners of the bank have been included in the ceiling as insulating material.

Goal 12. responsible consumption an production

The catering in Circl is circular and alle product an ingredients are locally produced and grown.

Cooking is solved with low energy consuming solutions.

Goal 17. Partnerships for the goals

Circl is a physical platform for people to meet and discuss about sustainability and to put a spotlicht on all the goals that have been stated.