Circular construction in full swing
Pieter Scheer (Dusseldorp, demolition contractor): "The challenge of the construction of the three UIA houses lies in the control of the innovations. We have learned a lot in a short period of time and have to make decisions between the many possibilities that arise." This unique way of recycling is all about testing different methods of recycling. For instance, in May 2019, two complete apartments were lifted out of a high-rise apartment block. These apartments formed the basis of the two largest circular test houses. Besides lifting out the entire shell of the apartments, tests were also carried out to hoist out floor sections and walls from another apartment in the project area. However, that wasn’t all. 100% recyclable concrete was used of which dismountable blocks have been pressed. This completes the circle: the original concrete flat has been crushed into gravel and sand, which was recycled into the concrete that formed the dismountable building blocks used for the circular test houses.
Henk Roebroeks (Jongen, construction company): "We have faced a lot of interesting challenges on our ‘recircular’ road. But we actually like those new challenges, because it forces us to think in all kinds of creative ways and techniques. Working in the construction field never gets bored!"
With all these experiments and developments, it is clear that the hard work did not stop during the summer. The demolition contractor Dusseldorp has further disassembled the flat on Jonkerbergstraat. The materials that came available through this demolition will be either used for the three circular houses or stored in the project area for reuse later on in the project. This month, the construction of the three circular houses will continue.
Author: Mado van Oppen, Communication Manager , Municipality of Kerkrade
Circular economy
