'Modular builders could be a little prouder'

New chairman Modular Netherlands

Joziene van de Linde is the new president of Modular Netherlands, the trade association for modular construction. The member association aims to be a sparring partner and source of expertise for government, market, housing associations and other stakeholders. "Modular builders are indispensable in the pursuit of societal needs such as a sustainable construction sector and solving the housing shortage," Van de Linde said.

Modular Netherlands is focused on "strengthening the adaptive capacity of the living environment with sustainable housing solutions - from healthcare and education to offices and homes. The industry association is also making an effort to accelerate the development of modular and circular construction, by certifying the 3D building system and actively thinking along on relevant regulations. "We see this in combination with the introduction of the Wkb as an opportunity to further professionalize the industrialization of construction," Van de Linde said.

Reuse

Modular buildings are manufactured with 3D modules that are made in the factory and assembled and finished on site. "This fully circular construction method offers unlimited design and layout possibilities, with the same quality and longevity as traditional building solutions," Van de Linde says. "The layout and finishing are completely tailored to the use function; from school to hospital or residence. This means that modules can be reused multiple times and moved when the need arises."

The momentum for a strong focus on modular construction is great anno 2023. "Modular construction meets the great social needs of today, as evidenced by the strongly growing market demand. Especially as the housing shortage is still high and local and European requirements for sustainability and CO2 emissions are becoming increasingly stringent. In addition, Housing and Spatial Planning Minister Hugo De Jonge's ambition is to build over 900,000 new homes in the Netherlands by 2030."

'50% less CO2 emissions'

The industry's labor shortage can be partially overcome with an increase in the proportion of conceptual construction. For example, De Meeuw wrote that modular construction is up to 50 percent faster than traditional methods. Van de Linde: "That way, the inconvenience to the environment is also reduced." In addition, an analysis of Daiwa House Modular Europe's carbon footprint shows that modular construction emits 50 percent less CO2 than traditional construction. "That message is gaining traction: several members of the association have been allowed to support the construction and delivery of thousands of flex homes
to housing associations."

Van de Linde, a planner by birth, has experienced market developments up close in various positions at the Municipality of Rotterdam, Heij-mans and Van Wijnen; as director of De Meeuw, she has years of experience in the development and application of modular building solutions. "Modular builders in the Netherlands should be a little more proud. As an industry, we continuously invest in sustainable innovation. In recent years we have been able to make a growing contribution to social tasks such as the housing shortage, the reception of refugees and the building of vaccination centers. With this comes a serious industry association, as a modular alternative to traditional Bouwend Nederland."  

Board composition

The current members of Modular Netherlands are Algeco, Daiwa House Modular Europe, Dutch Cabin Group, Ela, Klein Groep, De Meeuw, Orange Cabins & Rental Group and Portakabin. Besides Joziene van de Linde on behalf of De Meeuw, the board of Modular Netherlands consists of Harry van Zandwijk (CEO Daiwa House Modular Europe), Carlos Klein (director Klein Groep), Robbert Jan van Gent (general manager Portakabin) and Suzanne Schreuders (general manager sales Dutch Cabin Group). The board and the various expert teams within the association are supported by the association office, which is headed by Edward van der Meijden.