This thesis investigates how geobased materials can restore sustainable value chains through a social, ecological, and technological framework while enhancing the regional landscape and built environment. It combines material research with design to propose a grounded architecture for farewell rituals.

The first part examines clay and earth materials, focusing on sustainable extraction, thermal performance, and tectonics. It proposes a hybrid system using a durable fired clay outer shell with an inner layer of unfired earth bricks to optimize durability, moisture regulation, and thermal mass.

The second part applies these findings to the design of a farewell centre and natural cemetery, Gedenkpark Leijsenakkers, located in the Heilige Driehoek area of Oosterhout. The design integrates local materials and ecological strategies such as water buffering and ecological gradients to create a slow, contemplative architecture that harmonizes with the landscape. The project offers a mineral-based alternative to typical crematorium typologies, emphasizing material care and regional identity.

This graduation project rethinks the concept of architectural permanence in response to the declining lifespans and growing obsolescence of buildings due to rapid societal and environmental change. It proposes a framework that embraces adaptability, material cycles, and cultural continuity.

The design is a timber-based public building located in Kemerburgaz Kent Ormanı, an urban forest in Istanbul. Functioning as a digital archive, it collects, displays, and shares intangible cultural heritage while symbolizing architecture’s potential to embody long-term continuity. Cultural heritage informs not only the program but also the spatial organization and structural expression. Inspired by traditional Turkish architecture, the design features a communal “sofa” space, overhangs and a central courtyard. These elements foster social interaction and express local architectural identity.

Constructed using local pine and traditional joinery techniques, the structure reflects a responsible approach to both material use and forestry. Timber is harvested at different stages of growth for specific components, establishing a cycle of replantation and maintenance. The modular framework, combined with reversible joints and screw pile foundations, allows the building to be disassembled, adapted, or repaired over time. Its connection to the ground is non-destructive, enabling relocation or complete removal without leaving a permanent trace on the site.

The project offers a model of permanence grounded not in fixity, but in continuity, care and cultural identity.

Currently, there is a major housing shortage and climate crisis. There is a shortage of housing for starters and singles, and the rental market is shrinking in the Netherlands. Residential buildings are often new construction, and their climate design needs to be energy efficient and sustainable. In addition, many cities face a surplus of vacant offices/premises. These office buildings can be transformed into residential buildings. This can accommodate a large circulation of housing and once the indoor climate is optimised, the building becomes much more sustainable. For the research, the thematic research question was formulated, focusing on thermal comfort as: “How can a climate system, for the benefit of vacant office buildings, be designed to provide optimal thermal comfort, be user-friendly and energy efficient, minimizing the cost to the residential building?”

The research includes an extensive literature review. This was done by reading books, (newspaper) articles, reports and theses. The literature review also provided some case studies. Furthermore, interviews were done with a renovation architect, property managers and building physicists. The interviewees also recommended several case studies.

The research shows that hybrid air-conditioning systems for transforming office buildings can create energy-efficient and comfortable homes. Combining passive and active techniques, such as insulation, shading and heat pumps, offers a flexible and efficient solution. Central ventilation systems are suitable for larger buildings, while decentralised systems such as the AEROMAT VT ventilation system are ideal for smaller buildings. When looking at costs that can be saved is by reducing heat loss, and to achieve this, the indoor climate must work as optimally as possible, and the thermal comfort must be as optimal as possible. To make it user-friendly, the operation of the systems and their use should be well communicated to occupants. This approach ensures optimal indoor climate with low operating costs and a sustainable home renovation.

It is therefore concluded that an integrated approach of passive and active techniques can provide an energy-efficient and comfortable indoor environment for the transformation of empty office buildings. Hybrid systems combine passive techniques such as insulation and use of thermal mass with active systems such as heat pumps and mechanical ventilation systems. At the same time, the use of sustainable materials reduces the ecological footprint. By reusing materials and applying circular design principles, the costs of future transformations are reduced. This makes transformation to housing economically and sustainably feasible.

This graduation project explores how the architectural principles of Open Building can be implemented within an existing industrial structure to accommodate change over time. Starting from the notion that architects should not aim to predict the future but rather enable adaptability, the project questions the traditional role of the architect in residential architecture. By reusing the vacant Geschutfabriek -a former ammunition factory located at the Hembrug terrain in Zaandam- the project proposes a spatial framework that balances permanence and change. The building’s foundation and steel structure are repurposed as the permanent Support, while a newly developed infill system offers space for multiple dwelling typologies and public functions.

A flexible partitioning strategy, modular wall and floor systems, and a dry-assembled façade framework allow for varied and reversible configurations of interior spaces. The facade guidelines enable individual expression while maintaining visual coherence, turning the architect’s role for the façade into that of a framework designer. At the urban scale, a new public square, Geschutsplein, anchors the project as a central and multifunctional gathering space in the evolving neighbourhood. Passive climate strategies are embedded in the reused building envelope, supporting sustainable performance throughout the year.

Originating from a fascination with what nature can bring, this project aims to break the boundary between man and nature in the urban environment. In this design, an existing concrete building in Rotterdam is not demolished, but cracked open and transformed into a living project for learning and housing. It shows how nature, human and architecture can merge.
Central in this project is the office building Blakeburg, designed in 1977 by Jan Hoogstad, which is being redeveloped into a Montessori school, housing for the elderly and public space. The building transforms from a closed, monofunctional volume to an open and changeable biotope in which learning, living and ecology reinforce each other.
The architectural interventions, such as opening up the façade, integrating a landscape staircase, and deploying natural ventilation through existing towers, emerged from a research process. Through literature review, case study visits, participation workshops with children, and the creation of a comic book, seven design principles were formulated: community, reciprocal relationship, natural elements, sustainability, flexibility, participation and scalability.
In this project, nature is not added as aesthetic greenery but is the foundation of the whole design. It is a plea for architecture as a living organism, in which the boundaries between city and nature, old and new, young and old, slowly blur, and space is created for a changing future.

In a context increasingly altered by the climate and biodiversity crises, the theoretical discourse and practices which shape the built environment have shifted in the past 50 years towards sustainable architecture, branching out on various concepts, such as adaptability, material life cycle assessment, circularity, urban mining and the digitization of the construction process. However, these strategies focus primarily on minimizing the environmental impact of the construction industry and thus, on mitigating climate change, while they miss addressing the inevitable impacts of a changing climate on architecture itself. If buildings are to be viewed as material repositories (Rau & Oberhuber, 2022), it becomes crucial to consider not only their material flows, but their material longevity and resilience as well. By perceiving weathering not solely as a destructive process, but as one of material exchange that encompasses both destructive and constructive elements, this research paper aims to identify what kind of constructive processes take place when materials are weathering, as well as what design strategies can facilitate these mechanisms. These phenomena lead to the bioprotection of the built environment and take the shape of physical bioprotection or biomineralization. Moreover, they can be achieved by making use of both natural and engineered ecological dynamics which take place on the outermost layer of a building. The analysis leads to a better understanding of material resilience and aims to contribute to a longer lifespan of the built environment in a changing climate.

Addressing the pressing need for a shift to circularity in the construction sector, this project explores the potential of regenerative floating architecture in transforming urban waterfronts. It investigates how bio-based materials sourced from local aquatic environments, such as reed, willow, eelgrass and seaweed, can be used to construct floating buildings.

The design of a culture hub for Amsterdam’s Haven-Stad addresses ecological degradation in the industrial harbour by integrating the cultivation and harvesting into a productive floating ecosystem landscape. A double-loop system links plant growth cycles with the lifespan of building components, rethinking the temporal dimension of architecture. To apply this systemic approach, a parametric framework was developed. It assesses the cultivation area required to meet material demands for construction and replacement.

The architectural system is based on modularity, disassembly and adaptability: every part of the building is designed for ease of construction, maintenance and replacement. The cultivation of plants on floating ecosystems is at the start of the community-based building process, followed by material harvesting, storage and transformation into prefabricated building elements. Alongside the cultural use, this cultivation process contributes to fostering communities but also regenerates biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems.

By aligning regenerative design with community-building and long-term adaptability, the project proposes a flexible and evolving architecture typology rooted in local ecological cycles. Framed within Haven-Stad’s development timeline, this approach offers a transferable methodology for the sustainable urbanisation of transforming industrial waterfronts.

In response to increasingly extreme summer heat driven by global warming and the urban heat island effect, reducing energy consumption in architecture has become a critical concern in Taiwanese design practice. At the same time, decades of over-reliance on reinforced concrete as a universal solution have shaped the architectural industry into one that resists innovation, as well as filling the urban landscape with concrete structures that are ill-suited to present climatic conditions and agenda.

This thematic research investigates the physical, practical, and cultural challenges facing sustainable building design in Taiwan, through the means of thermal climate simulation study, survey with architectural practitioners, and the analysis of the historical development of Taiwan’s architectural industry.

Building upon the insights gained from this research, the design phase proposes a climate-responsive renovation strategy for a typical concrete high-rise apartment building in Taipei. The design emphasizes low-cost, low-tech interventions with minimal structural modification and additions, focusing on passive cooling strategies. The core principle of the design process is to significantly improve the natural ventilation schemes throughout the building by converting existing spaces into air channels, and critically introduce community programs and passive design elements into the network of private/public spaces to facilitate neighborhood gatherings and more open living spaces.

Rather than offering a fixed set of climate design solutions, this project presents a flexible methodology for addressing both climatic and social challenges within Taiwan’s existing public housing typology.

In response to the challenges of an aging population and growing social isolation among older adults, this research investigates how shared living concepts and the built environment can foster social cohesion and mobility for elderly residents. Through a combination of literature review and spatial analysis, the study examines how architectural and urban strategies can support more inclusive, accessible neighborhoods.
Tarwewijk, a socioeconomically diverse neighborhood in Rotterdam, serves as a case study to explore how spatial conditions, such as housing typologies, public space, and walkability, affect social interaction and independence among elderly people. The research identifies key principles from cohousing models and inclusive design that promote everyday encounters and community engagement. The inquiry is further informed by firsthand experience working in elderly care settings, offering practical insight into the social and spatial needs for older adults. These insights form the foundation for a subsequent architectural de sign project, developed separately, that seeks to apply the research findings in practice. The study concludes that an integrated approach-bridging social, architectural, and urban dimensions, is essential to enable older adults to age in place while remaining active and connected.

Active Ageing in Tarwewijk, developed within the design studio Designing for Inclusive Care, explores how architectural interventions can enable older adults to live independently, safely, and with dignity within existing housing stock. Set in Rotterdam’s Tarwewijk neighborhood, the project reimagines the outdated yet structurally sound Haagse portiekflats through minimal but strategic design modifications—such as step-free access, new lift cores, adaptable and culturally responsive interiors, and communal spaces that encourage daily interaction. Challenging conventional models of institutional care, the proposal envisions a community-based support network that embeds care within the neighborhood fabric, addressing growing demand amidst a shrinking professional care workforce. More than a technical retrofit, the project is a broader inquiry into what it means to age with autonomy and how thoughtful design can cultivate resilience, connection, and a sense of belonging for older adults.

Loneliness is an increasing concern in Dutch society, with 11% of the Dutch population experiencing strong feelings of loneliness, a number that is expected to grow as cities become more densely populated. This research explores the role of architectural design in fostering social encounters at multiple spatial scales—neighbourhood, transition zone, and interior—focusing on Tarwewijk, Rotterdam. The study examines the physical and programmatic qualities needed in architectural and urban design to contribute to social interaction and, consequently, reduce social isolation.
Using a combination of insights from architectural and sociological thinkers such as Richard Sennett, Eric Klinenberg, and Herman Hertzberger guide the exploration of social infrastructure, public familiarity, and spatial organization. The findings suggest that design interventions—such as enhancing transition zones, promoting identity and accessibility, designing social spaces that accommodate to a diversity of different groups—can strengthen social networks of people.
Ultimately, the study argues that while ar chitectural design alone cannot solve the issue of loneliness, it plays a crucial role in shaping environments that encourage social interaction and a sense of belonging, contributing to the broader effort of loneliness prevention in inner-city neighbourhoods.

Despite efforts to reuse and recycle materials in the building industry, the vast majority of materials used is new, which does not contribute to a circular built environment. Additionally, the way we design influences the amount of waste produced by the building industry. This research aims to develop circular design principles for optimal reuse of building components during the design process. Main factors of availability, dimensions, aesthetics, technical performance, environmental impact and the costs influence the reuse potential. Through qualitative data analysis, including in-depth interviews with pioneering architects who apply reuse as building method, this study identifies design principles and strategies for implementation in the design phase. By starting the design with identifying the reused materials, early collaboration, designing for disassembly and adaptability, and allowing flexibility during the whole process, optimal reuse can contribute to circular building practices.

This paper examines the causes of landslides and the resilient architectural strategies employed in three vernacular case studies from the Inca Empire, Sherpa communities in Nepal, and the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. It explores how their architecture integrated climate-responsive techniques, local materials, and structural systems to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes and landslides. The analysis highlights the significance of settlement layouts, passive design strategies, structural foundations, wall systems, and roofing methods that harmonize with the steep terrain and minimal environmental impacts, offering valuable insights for current sustainable and resilient design approaches for social housing in Bogota’s periphery in steep terrain.

Climate change and rising sea levels pose significant challenges for coastal cities like Rotterdam. My graduation project, Living with Water, explores how architecture can contribute to water-resilient living environments while enriching the human experience of water. The project focuses on the Merwehaven, a transformation area outside the dike, which faces a high risk of flooding but also presents opportunities to strengthen Rotterdam’s connection with its harbour and water.
The central research question asks: “How can architecture accommodate rising sea levels, ensuring human experience and sustainability in the context of the harbour of Rotterdam?” By integrating floating and amphibious housing typologies, sustainable materials, and innovative construction techniques, the project proposes a residential building that strengthens its connection to water. Additional functions—such as community centres, exhibition spaces, and educational facilities—enhance the area’s social and cultural value.
The research consists of two key elements: exploring how architecture can influence human perception and emotional engagement with water and examining the technical possibilities of building with water. Through case study analysis and a multisensory design framework, the project highlights water’s impact on sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. The findings show that integrating water-sensitive design principles can enhance the resilience and livability of port cities.
This project contributes to the broader discourse on climate-adaptive architecture, offering a prototype that balances technical innovation with social and ecological awareness. It serves as a model for other coastal cities worldwide, demonstrating how water-resilient architecture can create sustainable, vibrant urban environments.

The construction sector is one of the most resource-intensive industries globally, contributing significantly to environmental degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning towards a circular economy within the built environment offers a promising solution by emphasizing the reuse of building materials. This paper explores the potential of data-driven design methodologies to facilitate the integration of reclaimed materials into new architectural projects. A structured design tool is developed to assess the reuse potential of building materials, incorporating factors such as material quality, disassembly index and lifecycle performance. Through a case study involving materials sourced from the Megastores shopping mall in The Hague, the research demonstrates how data-driven approaches can a guide for deposition decisions of building materials for new circular buildings. Case studies of successful architectural projects like Biopartner 5, K.118, and Resource Rows give insights into design implementation with reclaimed building materials. This study highlights the critical need for architects to adopt innovative design tools and practices to meet sustainability targets while leveraging the untapped value of donor building.

Boerhaavewijk needs to be renovated to meet national carbon neutral goals and improve the public space. Nature-based solutions are effective tools to tackle its urban challenges. Renovation projects rarely incorporate NBs due to their added complexity. To effectively apply NBs in the context we ask what building-integrated greenery should be used to respond to conditions and challenges? We use literature to categorize the roles NBs have in a neighborhood and the parameters that influence decisions. Boerhaavewijk is then used to put it into a context. The results show that many nature- based functions have opposite parameter preferences and neighborhood characteristics can influence the decision on the building

The graduation project, "STAHLstadl: Sustainable Transformation Alpine Hospitality & Landscape” focuses on creating a circular building that aligns with the traditions of the Alps while addressing contemporary environmental challenges. This project seeks to act as an example of a new form of sustainable tourism, while contributing to closing Austria's Circularity Gap. It emphasises the importance of allowing people to enjoy and learn about the unique qualities of the Alps without causing harm, instead giving back to nature through circular and sustainable strategies. The research investigates the application of circular building strategies within the context of Alpine Architecture and sustainable tourism. With the Alps as a historically rich laboratory for experimentation, this study positions the region as a testing ground for circular building methods. Austria’s Circularity Gap, particularly in the construction sector, reveals significant potential for integrating circular solutions to reduce material consumption, improve resource efficiency, and minimise environmental impact. Conducting a combination of literature study, case study analyses and forming strategic frameworks, this research identifies actionable approaches to close material loops, prioritising locally sourced, renewable, and reclaimed materials. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of aligning architectural practices with Austria’s sustainability goals while addressing challenges unique to Alpine environments, such as climate change, fragile ecosystems, and tourism pressures. The research contributes to the broader discourse on the circular economy by offering a regional lens that balances global sustainability objectives with local ecological and cultural contexts. The proposed strategies provide a foundation for architectural interventions that not only enhance the built environment but also promote sustainable tourism practices. This work emphasises the urgency of adopting circular principles as integral components of design processes to create resilient, future-oriented solutions in the Alps and beyond.

This thesis explores the critical issue of global food insecurity and its impact on Doha, Qatar. The increasing unpredictability of climate change and the imposition of food export bans due to extreme weather events have heightened the urgency to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. This thesis delves into the impacts of climate change on food production and availability and the efforts to achieve food sustainability within urban areas. It discusses the challenges faced by Qatar, a country traditionally reliant on food imports due to its harsh desert environment and the shift towards self-sufficiency through innovative agricultural methods such as vertical farming. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing locally grown food; it looks at common vertical farm strategies and what are the best approaches to not only produce food in arid regions but to increase production yield and deploy automated vertical farms en masse in multiple areas simultaneously, inspiring a new era of sustainable food production.

This study explores the Vernacular Architecture of the northeastern Indian State of Assam to develop a sustainable building model tailored to modern societal demands. Over two months, field research was conducted, including analysis of traditional Assamese buildings and interviews with local residents. The research highlights the climate-responsive features of indigenous structures, such as natural ventilation and use of local materials like bamboo and clay. In contrast, contemporary constructions using concrete and steel often fail to address the region's climatic challenges, leading to increased environmental impact and inadequate living conditions. By integrating traditional practices with modern techniques and a more innovative utilization of local resources, the proposed model of Contemporary Vernacular Architecture (CVA) aims to create resilient, culturally relevant, and environmentally sustainable buildings, fostering a balance between nature and people.
Based on the CVA model, a structural system was developed that responds to the local context of Assam while considering socio-cultural desires. In the next step, the structural system was adapted to the specific needs of the Akshar school in Guwahati. Merging the CVA model with the specific needs of the school led to the design of a dorm and workshop. The project aims to inspire the next generation of Assamese youth to become more aware of the potential around them and within themselves.