Europarei: a new residential district from existing materials

Client Eigen Haard and main contractor Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling are aiming for a circularity of 95% there. The materials released from the demolition of the old homes were used in the new apartments and in other projects.

In Uithoorn there were previously nine flats, six of which were renovated. Three flats were demolished in phases, after which 187 new homes were built; both single-family homes and apartments for rent and houses for sale. This was done in a chain collaboration with Eigen Haard, GP Groot and Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling. The municipality, residents and neighborhood organizations were involved in developing the new plans.

Reuse of materials

"Because of the different types of housing, it has become a very diverse, pleasant neighborhood," said William Rood, project manager at Heddes. "There is a mix of older and younger people living there. The first homes that were delivered were for the apartment dwellers. That's why the flats were demolished in phases. Then a mix of owner-occupied and rental housing was delivered, creating a great diversity." It involves a total of three apartment buildings with 21 homes each that stand at the corners of the neighborhood, opening up the 124 single-family homes.

The demolition was carried out by GP Groot. The old flats consisted of eleven floors and as many materials as possible had to be reused. Rood: "There was a high sustainability ambition on the project.     

So we demolished circularly, reusing paving materials, lampposts and wood, among other things. A great example is the wood we reprocessed into new frame wood and the entrance ceiling of the apartments. This was reclaimed from old turnstiles from the flats."

Learning moments

Because the project was completed in three phases, learning moments could always be taken into the next phase. Thus, the partners saw the project grow further and further into a gem in the field of sustainability. The homes in phase 1 were fitted with a conventional energy concept with a gas connection. All homes in phases 2 and 3 were equipped with heating and cooling, as well as a regulated ventilation system that also detects moisture in the air. In addition, buyers could choose additional options, such as additional kitchen installations, a dormer or an extension. These are Zero-Meter homes equipped with PV panels, a heat pump and heat exchanger units.

Because work was done in a fixed order, the schedule was very tight. Between the three phases, residents had to move into their new homes. Thanks to the pleasant cooperation, the entire project could be realized at a fast pace. "We worked there very pleasantly for four years. The chain cooperation created a fine drive. We were all focused on achieving the ultimate goal. What we learned in phase 1 we could apply in the following phases and at the same time we had a tremendous amount of fun," Rood said.  

'Circular demolition is collaboration'

Together with its partners, GP Groot demolition and remediation is making every effort to realize its circular ambitions. In the Europarei project, three gallery flats from the 1970s were dismantled in a circular fashion in three phases and, among other things, dismantled hardwood was reprocessed and reused in new construction at that location. The work was carried out in a construction team with Heddes and Eigen Haard. Work started in 2016 with the first flat and ended in 2019 with the third flat.

From the collaboration, circular knowledge was gained and cost reductions realized, by translating the knowledge gained at each apartment into improvements in the demolition process of the next apartment. The first steps were taken on the circular path, starting with the manufacture of concrete granulate as a gravel substitute, the reuse of paving stones and street furniture such as lampposts and the recovery of raw materials from the demolished flats, such as hardwood window frames and sills. This wood was transported to the Alkmaar site, where it was cut and planed after de-ironing. The result is a number of high-quality products purchased by construction and housing associations and used in new projects. Other products were reapplied on site in the new residential area created after the demolition of the flats.

Construction Info

Client Eigen Haard housing corporation
Main contractor Heddes Construction & Development
Circular demolitions GP Large
Prefabricated foundations Apple concrete
Casco Spaansen building systems
Masonry facades Putter and Zn
Masonry interior walls StoneSkills
Wooden roofs Houttec precast
Plastic window frames Skipper
Circular frame Carpentry factory De Baanakker
Mounting circular ceiling 4-U-2
E-installation Blom 
W installation Van der Sluis
Heat/cold generation Climate Guarantee
Construction period end 2016 - end 2020