A New Year trip to the Netherlands turned into a bit of a bus person’s holiday, with visits to an array of buildings demonstrating circularity in different ways. Gilli Hobbs of Reusefully explains how transforming buildings and embracing circularity is developing in the Netherlands.

My first stop was the Green Transformable Building Lab in Heerlen, brainchild of Dr Elma Durmisevic, which is in its 2^nd year of a 10 year programme to research, prototype and demonstrate a multitude of approaches linked to maximising reuse potential, use of existing resources and future adaptability. As the photos show, the stage is set with imposing wooden columns, made from trees felled locally as part of forest management, and a reversible steel structure at its core.

The current office and exhibition space is repurposed student accommodation integrating a reversible façade system developed through the BAMB project, which also host photovoltaics and infrared heating – the latter is invisible but very effective! The next phase in now underway to add additional exhibition space and to launch a virtual knowledge platform all about circular and dynamic buildings. 

A short train ride away to Maastricht, where two churches have been adaptively reused. I went to the one converted into a bar and hotel a few years ago, so was keen to see the other one. A bookshop and café, the original features of the church were all on display, with a demountable steel structure maximising use of the space. The usual temptation to buy books was lessened by the fact they were pretty much all in Dutch.

Finally, back to Amsterdam where there are a few circular building examples to choose from. I plumped for ABN AMRO Circl pavilion which was constructed back in 2018 by BAM with the design by de Architekten Cie. Deconstructable timber beams in abundance, there are many circular features such as reused windows for internal partitioning, recycled denim insulation and lifts that remain the property of the manufacturer and leased on a use-only basis. 

The pavilion is a great place to meet up and have a coffee but don’t worry if you can’t make it to Amsterdam to see for yourself – follow the link for a virtual tour.

For more information on Gilli's trip to the Netherlands, and for information to help us visit the buildings shown, use our Contact form above.