Affordable and sustainable living
The construction sector is responsible for approximately 11% of national CO₂ emissions. At the same time, there’s an urgent need to build a large number of affordable homes. Instead of worsening the problem, we as architects can contribute to the solution. How? NEXT natuurlijk has answers to these and other pressing questions. Discover the full plans for NEXT natuurlijk here (only in Dutch).
With a series of articles on Architectenweb, we’re exploring the relationship between architecture and nature in our work, from design philosophy to practical application. Read the second column by the NEXT natuurlijk team here (only in Dutch).
Explore
There’s a growing effort to reduce our carbon footprint: terms like CLT, biobased, circular, or regenerative construction are increasingly common. At the same time, actual building production is stagnating: “it’s not affordable, not feasible, unproven, there’s no time, we need to be realistic…”
But it is possible! NEXT architects is already constructing a ‘Paris Proof’ residential building (118 kg CO₂/m² GFA including biogenic storage), and we’ve made the design even more sustainable. We revisited and optimized the structure, façade design, and installation concept. The result is a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions, energy use, and cost. Because the real challenge is making sustainability affordable.
Connect
Knowledge development is essential to achieving these goals. We can only move forward by working with partners who understand how to build differently. NEXT natuurlijk includes not only NEXT architects, but also ENS engineers, Bouwnext, and Vitruvius bouwkostenadvies (cost consultants). Together, we tackle the challenges and push one another to find optimizations within our respective disciplines. We also use partial solutions that positively influence one another (for example, in terms of cost and CO₂ reduction). Investing in high-quality (biobased) insulation and airtight construction can reduce the need for installations. And with parametric modeling, we can optimize structural elements for weight, CO₂ emissions, and cost.
After each sustainable project we realize, the next one becomes cheaper and/or better, and construction speeds up. The team continues together, making each project more efficient. We call this evolutionary design.
Create
We don’t have a ready-made product, but we do have a ready-to-use method. The secret of NEXT natuurlijk lies in the building products and solutions, the right puzzle pieces to build well. The true quality and value come from carefully coordinating these elements: improving the façade means fewer installations, timber construction requires less foundation, investment leads to lower operational costs, and so on. This creates a unique methodology we call NEXT natuurlijk.
For each project, we search for the optimal balance, where sustainability pays off. There’s a direct relationship between sustainable and economically sound construction. Models show there’s an economic sweet spot at 15 kWh per m² per year in total cost of ownership (TCO), much more sustainable than BENG. And energy efficiency offers greater security in times of increasing grid congestion. It ensures a building can be connected to the grid. When building according to the principles of NEXT natuurlijk, property owners can charge tenants an energy performance fee, allowing them to recoup sustainable investments faster.
And what does that look like? Well, like this…
In other words: like any other beautiful building, because it’s not a product or a building system. It’s simply designed more intelligently, holistically, and affordably by a fixed team that reuses knowledge and skills to improve with every project. It’s future-ready. NEXT natuurlijk.
NEXT natuurlijk, team NEXT architects (from left to right): Jouke Sieswerda, Bart Reuser, Douwe Strating.
Want to learn more about NEXT natuurlijk? Jouke Sieswerda from NEXT architects would be happy to provide more information. You can reach him at sieswerda@nextarchitects.com.