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.
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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. ... Read more

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.
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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.
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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. ... Read more

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. ... Read more

Human beings engage with architectural spaces both cognitively and emotionally, with research highlighting the significant impact of emotional experiences on health and well-being. As cities become increasingly urbanized, a notable absence of natural environments has raised concerns about a growing disconnection from nature. This gap manifests in both the quantity and quality of interactions with the natural world. The central challenge, then, is how to re-establish a meaningful connection to nature in urban settings.
This research aims to address two key objectives: first, to explore the environmental and emotional challenges posed by urbanization, and second, to develop a set of design principles and tools that empower architects and designers to create human-centered, emotionally resonant spaces.
In conclusion, emotional architecture offers a promising approach to mitigating the environmental and psychological impacts of urbanization. By engaging the senses, honoring local culture and climate, and integrating nature as a central design element, urban environments can be transformed into vibrant, restorative spaces that enhance both our well-being and our connection to the natural world creating an Urban Oais.
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In this research, the use of the light earth construction method is assessed on its possibilities to be implemented in existing building systems, especially its compatibility with futureproof timber construction, while meeting contemporary housing requirements. Combining clay and fibres in various proportions will achieve different technical properties, that can be applied in diverse building elements, to reach futureproof housing requirements. In the Netherlands, clay is available, and a sustainable approach involves reusing excavated soil to avoid overexploitation. The interaction of building elements in timber structures can lead to hybrid systems. Light earth, traditionally an infill for timber frames, can potentially be applied to various timber systems. ... Read more

The Netherlands, with its intricate history of battling water, faces a pivotal moment as rising sea levels challenge traditional water defenses. This research navigates the intricate landscape of water management, focusing on the vulnerable region of Hoedekenskerke in Zeeland. The central thesis proposes adopting the Living with Water strategy posed by Deltares, urging a paradigm shift towards a symbiotic relationship with nature. The study employs a funneling methodology, ranging from a regional risk analysis to a nuanced exploration of the spatial relationships between the hinterland and water infrastructure. Through a detailed examination of dike failure probabilities and consequences on an urban scale, Hoedekenskerke emerges as a key focal point for urgent adaptation. Beyond their structural function, dikes are revealed as multifaceted elements, representing landscape features, cultural heritage, and symbols of trust. The research concludes with a call to embrace a more adaptive and mindful coexistence with water. And to work towards a future where the Netherlands can chart a resilient course—one that relocates its vulnerable hinterland to the higher ground that the waterworks provide while honoring the intricate legacy of hydraulic engineering that defines its identity. ... Read more

The tourism industry has experienced significant growth over recent decades, resulting in overcrowding and carrying capacity issues in concentrated tourist areas (mass tourism). This influx strains local resources, especially water supply systems, in regions prone to scarcity, such as (semi-)arid and remote areas like islands. Many Thai islands, reliant on tourism, face water shortages exacerbated during high tourist seasons and periods of low rainfall. Inadequate wastewater management further pollutes local ecosystems as untreated wastewater is discharged into the sea, contaminating seawater and groundwater alike. The growth of mass tourism on these islands not only leads to ecological damage but also erodes cultural heritage, as traditional structures are increasingly replaced by modern resorts. My graduation project, “Modern Sala,” addresses these impacts by transforming a site into a recreational space for local residents. It emphasizes environmental awareness through sustainable water management, local material use, and natural integration. Modern Sala seeks self-sufficiency by cultivating food, reusing water, and purifying seawater for safe public swimming, restoring part of the environment to the community. Flexible, multi-purpose spaces adapt to evolving needs, positioning the project as a model for balanced, community-focused tourism development. ... Read more

The research recognizes the environmental and cultural implications of architectural tourism projects in naturally appealing locations like the Mediterranean, where the impact on local residents and resources are frequently overlooked. The study, which focuses on the energy and resource consumption of tourism projects, examines the possibility of passive design strategies as a sustainable approach for reducing energy usage in hotels. Recognizing the absence of standards and guidelines facilitating passive design, the study develops a design manual adapted specifically to hotel developments in the Mediterranean climate. The methodology involves understanding suitable passive design solutions, establishing analysis criteria for common hotel morphologies and typologies, modeling energy demand, and evaluating architectural design freedom. The study's findings show the effectiveness of passive design solutions with an emphasis on solar passive design and natural ventilation. The produced design manual provides guidelines for integrating passive design principles in hotel projects and achieving architectural design opportunities, with recommendations for optimum morphologies and typologies. The findings indicate that terraced morphology and single-loaded slab typology are extremely successful solutions in terms of both energy efficiency and architectural design flexibility. The study also recommends alternative morphologies and typologies for hotel design, as well as hybrid applications. The findings are generalizable across the Mediterranean climates, giving a foundation for future research into passive design methods in other common areas of hotels, as well as other characteristics for a more complete examination. ... Read more

In response to the environmental challenges posed by the construction industry's extensive use of concrete, this research focuses on the reuse of load-bearing concrete elements from end-of-life buildings. Emphasizing the 'Design for Reuse' (DfReu) principle, the study aims to integrate reclaimed concrete into new construction projects. Four chapters delve into construction techniques, concrete reclamation methods, demountable integration, and a practical case study of the former Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. The findings mark the feasibility of reclaiming structurally sound concrete, with the case study revealing substantial environmental benefits. This research contributes valuable insights to the global call for circularity in construction practices, urging a paradigm shift towards sustainability and adaptability. ... Read more

The research and design show how to use local wood from an ex-production forest in het Goois Natuur Reservaat (GNR) in an affordable (social) housing project. With the use of efficiënt building and community housing principles affordability is established, while still creating high quality housing in a natural environment. Damage to the environment due to building in such an area is limited by using prefabrication, a good layout and nature-inclusive design. ... Read more

This research paper explores the potential of urban agriculture as a transformative tool for post-war neighbourhoods, focusing on the Netherlands. It examines how urban agriculture can contribute to healthier, more socially interactive, and self-sufficient communities in areas recovering from the impacts of war. The paper employs a mixed-method approach, including a comprehensive literature review and detailed case studies. It discusses various types of urban agriculture and assesses their benefits in terms of health, social interaction, and self-sufficiency. The findings provide insights into the practical implementation of urban agriculture offering design guidelines and strategies for revitalizing post-war neighbourhoods through sustainable and community-focused agricultural practices. ... Read more

The acceleration of the sea level rise will have an immediate global impact, especially on the Delta works. This projection increases the challenge for flood protection strategies and the existing flood barriers that currently lack adaptation for the higher water level. As an opportunity from the negative outcome of climate change and the most extensive maintenance period of the Delta works. This design research initiates by considering the further innovative stage of the flood defense system in Zeeland. Either way of strengthening the hydraulic systems, removing the flood barriers for environmental respect, or adapting both directions with the surrounding and biodiversity concerns.

This paper studies three crucial phasing investigations about the Delta works: the principle and life cycle, the alteration of the biodiversity, and multi-functionality. The research indicated two sides of the outcomes, leading to the methodology of the integration between the typology and methods of dam, locks, and storm surge barriers to create diversity in the specific context of Oosterscheldekering. Together with the multi-functionality of the new architecture, that could be a solution for the future adaptation of existing flood barriers.
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Urban and agricultural lands occupied more than 40% of all land surface globally in 2022. Most of these areas are managed through industrial processes that deplete the soil, pollute the water, annihilate biodiversity, and contribute to runaway carbon emissions. It’s all anthropogenic sprawl. Large scale ecological and hydrological restoration, by way of transforming anthropic land use, is essential if we hope to prevent further climate catastrophe.
Focusing specifically on soil health would have implications that reverberate throughout the entire ecosystem. Soil stores more carbon worldwide than is contained in all plant biomass above ground. Healthy soil prevents erosion and mitigates drought and flood due to its ability to absorb and store high quantities of water. Soil is a living composition of multispecies entanglements that determines the viability of plant and animal life above ground. Humans are agents in soil production as much as ants, worms, bacteria and fungus, and thus locate our place within these systems of exchange, rather than without.
Gunkspace is a methodology that demonstrates how agroforestry principles that promote decentralized modes of soil care infrastructure can be integrated into urban and agricultural areas with the hydrological basin serving as a scaling device that zooms in to the narrowest street and all the way out to the entire planet: it’s all connected! What’s more, it can all be done within the existing frameworks that govern much of our anthropocentric space today — in the interstices where gunk already accrues or where it could.
The first case study is the Matanza-Riachuelo river basin in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which is the most polluted waterway in the country. In other words, if this basin can be restored, any basin can be.
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With the rise of all-electric buildings the load on the electrical grid grows. This could slow down the energy transition and densification of existing neighbourhoods as the current grid is not capable to withstand a higher load. This research gathers literature on different peak shaving techniques to create a clear overview and investigates the impact on the load profile when techniques are combined. This new insight in combined techniques will provide a solid basis to develop a more detailed modelling tool to simulate the actual energy use and generation on a daily and annual basis. The load profiles of these techniques are combined with the existing energy demand curve to see how these techniques reduce peak loads that occur during the day. To asses the influence on the annual load curve the ZED-tool was used to simulate peak shaving techniques on a case-study building. The results show that a combination of outside insulation, sun shading and a heat pump flatten the daily and annual load profile significantly. However the implementation of east and west facing façade PV in combination with wind energy decreases the peak loads the most. Finally when all techniques are combined with a battery a building block can become not only energy neutral but almost self sufficient.

These research results were developed into a design for the renovation of a post-war appartmentbuilding in Haarlem Schalkwijk. In the new design other topics like densification, flexibility and climate adaptation were addressed as well to improve the post-war neighbourhood. This design is a base for a bigger renovation strategy that could be implemented in multiple post-war neighbourhoods in the Netherlands.
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