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. ... Read more

This research analyses the integration of housing and industry in Haven-Stad, Amsterdam, with the aim of creating a harmonious coexistence.The central problem is the acute housing shortage in Amsterdam, while vacant industrial sites in Haven-Stad remain unused.The study presents concrete urban planning, architectural and technical solutions, such as green corridors, flexible housing typologies with double facades, and waste heatutilisation.The implementation is divided into five phases: inventory, area preparation, housing construction and cooperation/integration. The conclusion drawn is that harmonious integration is indeed feasible, provided that a
number of factors are taken into consideration. These include minimising nuisances, exploiting synergies and ensuring that the needs of residents are central to the process. The approach developed in this study can serve as a model for other urban-industrial areas. ... Read more

One of the challenges for the recycling industry is the lack of sufficient (specific) recycling applications for materials recovered from plastic waste streams. This research explores the potential of recycled plastic materials, particularly polyethylene-aluminum (PolyAl) and mixed plastics (DKR350), for use in construction, focusing on post-consumer, source-separated waste streams. As plastic waste is a major environmental challenge, the construction industry offers an opportunity to reuse these materials. The study examines the technical performance, design flexibility, environmental sustainability and economic viability of PolyAl and mixed plastics and compares them with traditional materials (wood, concrete and steel). It also evaluates how different production techniques affect the properties and applications of these recycled materials in construction. The central research question is: "What recycled plastic materials and related production techniques are available to be used in housing design and construction?". By addressing barriers to the application of recycled plastics, this research aims to promote circular economy initiatives and encourage the use of recycled materials in sustainable, environmentally responsible modular housing solutions. ... Read more

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. ... Read more

The paper establishes the need for a parametric design tool in contemporary tall timber construction, combining literature studies, expert interviews, and case study analyses. Findings reveal seven key challenges, including economic feasibility and fire safety, and explore techniques from recent tall timber developments. The conclusion highlights the potential of tall timber in reducing carbon footprint, balancing costs and sustainability, and introduces a parametric design tool serving as a decision-support system for architects, promoting the transition to timber as the main construction material in high-rise structures. ... Read more

This research addresses the pressing need for adaptable architecture in rapidly urbanizing societies, focusing on the transformation of underutilized urban industrial buildings into adaptable student housing. Recognizing the challenges of modern urbanization, such as increasing single-person households and the resultant demand for individualized dwellings, the study explores adaptive reuse as a sustainable solution. It emphasizes preserving the historical and cultural significance of existing structures while infusing them with new life to meet contemporary and future demands. The methodological approach integrates a thorough literature review on adaptability in architecture, and timber construction, translating constraints into mathematical parameters suitable for informing a parametric model. The study concludes by establishing a comprehensive framework for designers using adaptable architecture principles and timber construction constraints to inform the development of a parametric model. It involves a strategic assessment of design possibilities within these constraints, aiming to balance aesthetic innovation with practical limitations ... Read more