Supply chain analysis/demountable wooden office building

A new, sustainable office building was constructed on a former agricultural site in accordance with the circularity criteria of the Municipality of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht and in keeping with the wishes of Persy Control Services PLC (“PCS”). The result is a beautiful office building with an almost entirely wooden shell, with a focus on circularity and detachability.

SDG ALIGNMENT

Sustainable Development Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

Sustainable Development Goal 6 - Climate Action

Location

Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Netherlands

Client

Persy Control Services PLC

Architect

EVA Architects, Derix, Van Baaren Contractors and Climate Service

Period

2022-2023

Two WSP structural engineers (Bas de Leijer and Renée de Jong) oversaw the structural design for a new office building. As part of that process, a wooden shell was selected. The three-storey structure itself is half sunk into the ground. Beginning from the first floor, the construction materials are primarily wood, including wooden columns/beams and cross-laminated timber (CLT) floors. Bas de Leijer offered this assessment: "Wood proved to be the best choice to make the building ‘Paris Proof ’. Wood is a natural product, lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. It also ensures a healthy working environment." The walls in the building’s core, which are designed to reinforce its stability, are made of precast concrete.

The building is energy-neutral. In addition to meeting its own energy needs, the building also generates more than enough energy for its users.

Demountable design

The Municipality of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht is seeking to make the Ambachtsezoom business park sustainable, which is why PCS voiced its preference for a demountable building design (i.e. all components are removable to simplify future reuse). The use of materials such as glues, sealants and purifiers is avoided; no composite products are used. This is a fine example of building with an eye to the future.

PCS, which provides utility automation (building automation and energy systems) and smart building solutions, is also responsible for the new building’s environmental footprint. For example, the building is energy-neutral and generates more than enough energy for its users, in addition to covering its own energy needs. All installations are connectable.

Paul Persy

Supply chain analysis for CO₂ emissions

WSP colleagues Thomas Musson and Sanne Lahaije mapped out the total emissions saved thanks to this design and the use of wood as the primary building material. A supply chain analysis was prepared for this purpose, comparing the wood-based design with a steel-based design for reference purposes. The materials used for the different types of structures and the design variants were mapped during this process. "Thanks to the wooden design, CO2 equivalent emissions per square meter were 25% lower. This is not only because the production of wood leads to fewer emissions, but also because wood is relatively lightweight in relation to its load-bearing capacity. As a result, the foundation can be lighter, so approximately 33% less concrete was used," Lahije noted.

Reduction CO₂e / m²

25% 25%

SAVINGS IN USE OF CONCRETE

33% 33%

REDUCTION IN CO₂ EMISSIONS

145 ton 145 ton

WSP’s CO₂ reduction efforts

Sustainability is an obvious area of responsibility for WSP, both in its own operations and in the research and consultancy work it undertakes on behalf of clients. In our work, we strive to use energy and raw materials as sparingly as possible, in part to minimize CO₂ emissions. WSP is constantly looking for new opportunities to reduce emissions stemming from its operations, projects and the supply chain. Thanks to our Future Ready sustainability and innovation program, we are taking on the challenge of creating future-proof designs. Working together, this is how we ensure sustainable development. Reflecting our ongoing concern for CO₂ emission reductions, we opted for certification on the CO₂ Performance Ladder. WSP in the Netherlands issues a report twice a year that provides insight into our CO₂ emissions. Our aim is to further reduce our CO₂ emissions in the future.

This project’s contribution clearly shows how we can reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions at WSP. "First of all, we as a company can reduce our own emissions, but the impact of our designs and advice is much greater. For comparison purposes, this project is equivalent to about 18% of WSP in the Netherlands’ total emissions," said Jonas Geise.