Making sustainable impact, at all levels

Happy residents and strong neighborhoods. That is the ambition of ERA Contour, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2024. "Together with our clients, we have been developing and creating neighborhoods and districts for six decades in which people can live and live well, happily and safely. We do this for all kinds of target groups and from new construction to renovation and transformation," says CEO Jeroen Heijdra. "Sustainability plays an essential role in this. We take numerous initiatives to reduce our impact on the environment. For example, we use minimal energy on our construction sites and actively seek ways to reuse residual materials. We also develop and build residential locations that can last for years and in which city and nature come together harmoniously."

Heijdra was statutory director of ERA Contour for eight years. Since September 1, he has fulfilled the role of chairman of the board. In doing so, he takes over from Bianca Seekles, who has joined the TBI Board of Management. "Who we are and what we do, I don't want to change," he emphasizes. "After all, we have been doing this very well for 59 years. But I do want to put the theme of sustainability even more firmly on the map. Because we are the pivot between our clients on the one hand and the subcontractors, suppliers and production companies on the other, we can make a sustainable impact in both directions."

Sustainable homes, neighborhoods and relationships

Sustainability is an elastic term, Heijdra knows. "Above all, we want residents to be able to live climate-proof and keep their energy costs to a minimum. In addition, we are actively looking for ways to reduce CO₂-emissions from our buildings. When you look at the neighborhood level, sustainability is mainly about biodiversity and nature inclusiveness. We develop neighborhoods with plenty of room for greenery and green experiences. Neighborhoods that invite you to go outside. But also neighborhoods with good transitions from public to private space. Finally, for us sustainability is in the social aspect. For example, we encourage neighborhood residents to engage in conversation and perhaps even care for each other. This starts as early as the development phase, by involving residents as co-producers. We let residents contribute ideas about their homes and living environment from the very beginning, so that the project really becomes theirs. Especially in places that need a little love, this is how we make a difference."

Green references

That the combination of CO₂-reduction, biodiversity and social sustainability works, several telling reference projects prove. As an example, Heijdra mentions SAWA; a revolutionary and 50-meter-high wooden residential tower on the Lloydpier in Rotterdam, with which ERA Contour and Nice Developers prove that circular construction with wood is also possible in high-rise buildings. With the construction of the residential tower, approximately 5,000 tons of CO₂ stored. In addition, SAWA should encourage biodiversity in the city. "Also special is residential building Linck in the Binck in The Hague, which should form a 'stepping stone' (link) between nature and architecture. For example, thanks to large air gardens on the facade combined with green loggias." A 15-story atrium also draws the green quality inside, Heijdra says. "Public spaces flow harmoniously into each other and, thanks to an open structure, social interaction is maximized."

Green will also take the lead role in the Happy Days project in Zoetermeer. Residents here will soon live in a park-like neighborhood with 165 sustainable homes, designed entirely from the idea of how wonderful life is at a vacation park or camping site.

B Corp Certification

In order to structurally unite the sustainable initiatives with sound business operations, ERA Contour started Benefit Corporation (B Corp) certification in the summer of 2022. For example, to secure the sustainable objectives even better and formulate them more clearly towards clients, suppliers, residents and employees. But also to become an even more attractive employer for (young) talent. The process showed that ERA Contour is already well on the way to achieving this. Even better: adjustments in working methods or initiatives were not necessary for certification, says Heijdra, who proudly cites a few initiatives. "We regularly provide job application training at secondary schools and through the platform of the Rikx Foundation we support social projects to help vulnerable residents of Rotterdam find work. For example, long-term unemployed, people with disabilities and people on welfare. Every year we contribute 1,000 euros multiplied by ERA Contour's age. For example, we have set aside a sum of 60,000 euros for next year." Heijdra hopes to receive the B Corp certification this year, giving the anniversary year an extra golden edge. "This will make us the first builder with this designation. Of course we are quite a bit proud of that, but at the same time it feels very ordinary to us. It's in our DNA."