Proyecto Roble, Berkel-Enschot

"Proyecto Roble" is a red building with a green story. In 2012, this office for a landscaping company was one of the Netherlands' first buildings in which conscious building was applied in a high-quality architectural manner in all facets. A wooden building, with both a solar panel roof and a unique green roof furnished as a helophyte filter, climbers as sun protection and a pond for daylight reflection.

The building was designed from start to finish according to the principles of Cradle to Cradle and focused on Feel Good both in the construction process and in the final built result. The custom interior and outdoor space are also designed according to the same principles. In 2012 the project won the ARC Award for sustainable construction in combination with excellent architecture. In 2013 it was awarded BNA Best Building of the Year South Region and nominated as one of the world's six “most Sustainable Buildings of the Year” at the UK WAN Awards.

Reuse

reuse by demountability
In addition to opting for the use of natural materials, and thus for a wood construction, the aim was to limit steel and concrete to the absolute minimum. No plastics have been used other than biodegradable or fully recyclable. The entire design is detailed from the premise that it must be dismountable. In this way, all materials can eventually be returned to a circular economy. Smart handling of materials (reduction or even elimination) is also part of this. For example, interior frames became redundant and a demountable facade from the greenhouse construction was chosen for the south flank.

reuse by non-toxic biobased materials
The philosophy of Cradle to Cradle has provided the impetus for thinking about materials in this building. The approach was not only to make less bad choices, but above all to work eco-effectively. Keeping thinking for yourself is a sustainable motto, so no toxic substances, no sealants, but natural paints and products are used. A special example of consciously choosing to reuse materials: the set aluminum light lines have been removed from the factory without post-treatment (anodizing) so that the raw aluminum can one day be reused without loss of quality.

reuse of left-over materials
The materials that remained after construction were reused. All the red slats that remained of the facade structure were counted and, together with the structural steel that came out of the old, demolished canteen, they were processed in a new bicycle shed. Furthermore, all leftovers of the construction of the interior have been collected. A "story cabinet" has been made from these leftovers. The furniture was only designed when the interior was almost ready. All loose ends were included in this multitask element. In addition to a room divider, it is now also a key cabinet, suggestion box, message screen and a totum display of all materials used in the building.

Rethink

rethinking the cooperation
In this project, an innovative form of collaboration between design and construction parties has been set up; the Construction Team+. The proces of building is a horizontal process of co-makers and the tender is cut in two, thus creating a climate in which innovation takes place and in which the project becomes financially feasible. In order to take into account the architectural image, price, manufacturability and other aspects in decisions in addition to the life cost analysis,, the decision document tool has been developed. The helophyte filter designed as a sloping green roof is a concrete result of this approach and a world first. The project won the Social Innovation Award for this collaboration.

rethinking the green roof
Initially, a green roof and separate helophyte pond were devised. However, they were under financial pressure. The construction team came up with a world first: the sloping grass roof has been used as wastewater treatment. This saves hundreds of liters of drinking water every day. The filtering does not require any extra space and at the same time provides all the positive green roof aspects: a habitat for birds and insects, reduction of peak loads on the sewer system, lowering of surface temperature, etc. This was made possible by collecting urine separately. By-catch is that it can be used in landscaping practice as a basis for the fertilizer struvite. With this green roof, the Brabant gardener is going “back to the pitchers”.

rethinking the roof construction
The building consists of two parts. The southern part is oriented to the sun and the entire roof surface is equipped with solar panels. Originally this greenhouse - just like the offices in the north flank of the building - was provided with spruce wooden roof elements, insulated with wood fiber plates with EPDM foil on top and an aluminum construction for the PV panels. That became a heavy and relatively expensive whole. By considering the total roof package as a hybrid construction, the originally conceived roof plate could be completely omitted. The PV panels are integrated in a greenhouse roof system and are thus not only energy-efficient, but also the water-retaining layer.

rethinking the environment
The garden design is involved in the project and made part of the healing environment. Several atmospheres have been deliberately designed and daylight plays a major role. In various places you experience the environment directly or indirectly from the building. You experience the seasons and feel part of the bigger picture. Plenty of daylight is also brought in in places where you do not immediately expect it, such as in the reproduction and sanitary areas. Apart from the fact that this minimizes the use of artificial light, it also stimulates the biorhythm and the well-being of the users.