Circular design and construction

Volantis serves a wide range of clients in the world of design, architecture and consultancy. We create, realise, transform and manage buildings and environments in various industries, such as the healthcare industry, the manufacturing industry and the logistics sector. We provide services such as research, development, design, engineering and consultancy to companies and not-for-profit organisations. In all these services, Volantis’ main focus is on one thing: Circularity

Circularity is a concept that operates on the premise that processes will sustain themselves by means of an ever-recurring (cyclical) route. The idea is that the waste we produce will serve as a raw material for new products. In other words, components and products that we stop using will be given a new lease of life, meaning they will retain their value. If we reuse resources and reduce the amount of waste we produce, we will not have to tap into new sources of natural resources, which will in turn reduce our carbon emissions. Designing, constructing and renovating buildings with the principles of circularity in mind is part of a much-needed global switch to sustainable, green and energy-efficient construction. Volantis will also make sure that the methods and materials used are affordable for the client.

Due to the housing shortage, some 900,000 additional homes must be built in the Netherlands between now and 2030. One major detail of this target is that these homes must meet the national objective, which stipulates that no more than 50 per cent of the building may consist of primary raw materials. For this reason, homes must be designed and constructed in accordance with the principles of circularity. Bearing this circularity-related objective in mind, we have completed ‘circularity menu’ projects for different types of clients. Volantis hopes that this kind of menu will result in greener homes.

Step 1 – Baseline measurement
We will start with a baseline measurement. How does the current housing concept rate in terms of circularity? We will perform a thorough analysis to determine which components are most in need of modification, as far as circularity is concerned.

Step 2 – Client-specific recommendation on what materials to use
We will then turn our attention to the materials to be used. We will talk to several suppliers, then draw up a circular materials recommendation, fully geared to your specific situation. We will also try to determine where other gains can be made. For instance, we will seek to determine whether a more compact design for the home might work.

Step 3 – Practical and financial feasibility
Decisions on what kinds of circular materials to use will be made based on those components that will have the greatest impact. In association with our clients, we will determine whether the materials are viable from a financial point of view, and whether they will result in the intended level of quality from a technical point of view. Environmental impact and carbon dioxide emissions will be considered in every decision we make.

Step 4 – Gathering various perspectives with regard to circularity
We will use a so-called ‘menu’ to present the various perspectives on the various housing concepts to our clients’ customers:

• Emphasis on bio-based and renewable materials
• Reuse materials wherever possible
• Good health
• Removability and potential for reuse

These perspectives will be in line with the client’s ambitions.

Step 5 – Challenging our supply chain partners
Contractors will be involved in the plans at the earliest stage possible. On the one hand, we will do so to explore the various options available, and on the other hand, we will do so to boost innovations that will help us achieve the intended objectives. We will use a ‘circularity menu’ to prepare our clients for market demand, now and in the future.