Lorentz Casimir Lyceum: successful circular construction project

Combining used materials into new school building

To realize a new school building for the Lorentz Casimir Lyceum in Eindhoven and preferably as circular as possible. Dura Vermeer Bouw Zuid and architectural firm RoosRos took up the challenge.

Several options were explored during the design phase, says project architect Mark Boschman of RoosRos. "The old school building had a good concrete structure. We looked at whether we could reuse it. In the end, that didn't work out. It also proved difficult to use parts of the old school because it was still in operation. And so we looked for material from other projects, such as steel, window frames and wood. We managed to combine that into a new school building." Project Manager Harm Wingens of Dura Vermeer Bouw Zuid: "In the end, all the paving and concrete are from used material. For example, artwork, railings, lockers and the benches from the locker rooms of the old school were also transferred to the new building. In addition, we chose to use less cement in the foundation. This means it has to harden longer, but it saves a huge amount of CO2."

Specialist knowledge

Coen Oerlemans, project manager from Dura Vermeer Bouw Zuid, observes that circular construction is not easy, but steps can be made with each project. "One learns by doing. We also worked with donor steel via Urban Miner in a previous project and that was already much easier. There is quite a bit of specialized knowledge involved in this way of working. You constantly have to consider: what material is available? How can we apply it? What is the design like? In the final phase of the design, it becomes increasingly difficult to apply large parts when they are released in the market."

The future of the building

Circular construction is not just using less material, but also thinking about the future of the building as early as the design phase. Boschman: "Here we opted for a structure with facades that can be removed again. And by building with columns, the building can be divided flexibly. In time you can adapt the building if the function should change. For example, you can turn it into an apartment complex and add balconies to the facades."

During the construction of the building, there was much consideration for the surroundings. The shape of the building was adapted to the greenery and tree structure. Badgers and salamanders also live in the area, which forms a kind of green lung on the edge of the city. A beautiful place for a school, but this green character still presented a challenge for the contractor in terms of logistics. Oerlemans: "The area is surrounded by nature and many children cycle on certain roads. So we were looking for a combination of safety and low impact on flora and fauna. In the end, the construction road was constructed as naturally as possible and we used wooden construction fencing. After completion, this road will be dismantled and returned to its former state."

The construction team looks back on the project with a good feeling. Not only because of the successful circular approach, but also because it has become a beautiful building. Wingens: "From the construction site we have a good view of the south facade. Nice to see how the structure on the facade goes from coarse to fine when the sun shines on the pointed profile plates. That gives a beautiful effect."