In 2009, the HAKA building in the Merwe Vierhavens of Rotterdam was designated as a campus for clean-tech activity, a ‘Living Lab’ for companies, institutions and authorities in the field of water and energy innovation.
We developed a concept for the ground floor using secondary materials. An alternative process was set in place by using a team of ex-convicts in a reintegration program for the production of the elements. In so doing, the project is more than just an example of how we can make an interior from waste, it creates added value through empowerment and education.

Both waste materials from demolition sites and waste products from production processes were harvested, transported and processed in the HAKA building to form the new interior elements.
The outcome of the research demonstrates on average a 70% reduction of CO2, material and labour costs compared to a traditionally built interior.