CONIX RDBM Architects opts for 100% circular office

Architectural firm CONIX RDBM Architects relocated to a new site in Antwerp last year. The management had only one condition for the new building: it had to be 100% circular and sustainable. CONIX RDBM Architects chose for the JUUNOO wall system to partition their office space.

CONIX RDBM Architects opts for 100% circular office

Architectural firm CONIX RDBM Architects relocated to a new site in Antwerp last year. The management had only one condition for the new building: it had to be 100% circular and sustainable. Conix RDBM chose for the JUUNOO wall system to partition their office space.

Everything had to be circular

The CONIX RDBM Architects management team gave Geert Vyncke free rein in the search for a new site for their Antwerp office. Geert has been a Senior Circular Building Advisor since 2020; a role that’s allowed him to put his economic expertise and circular construction sector knowledge into practice on a daily basis. “They only really had one condition,” he explains. “Everything in the building had to be circular and sustainable. The glass walls were brought in from Amsterdam, the insulation material was manufactured from recycled jeans and we can even take the radiators with us when we leave,” says Geert. “We also created a harvesting station in the basement, which houses leftover glass, profiles and panels … That way, if we want to change something at a later date, the material is always to hand. We used it to build our kitchenette for instance.”

They also had to completely redesign the layout of their new office space, to promote efficient working practices. “There was no competition when it came to circular walls,” says Geert. “I was instantly sold on JUUNOO’s clickable wall panel system, which you can install without damaging the environment. Another massive benefit is that JUUNOO walls are only anchored to the ceiling. This means that you can quickly dismantle them, stack neatly on a pallet and reposition elsewhere, even if the dimensions at the new location differ.” To complete the circle, the architectural firm consciously chose to use walls that had enjoyed a previous life. “There’s no discernible difference between the new and recycled materials.”

Everything had to be circular

The CONIX RDBM Architects management team gave Geert Vyncke free rein in the search for a new site for their Antwerp office. Geert has been a Senior Circular Building Advisor since 2020; a role that’s allowed him to put his economic expertise and circular construction sector knowledge into practice on a daily basis. “They only really had one condition,” he explains. “Everything in the building had to be circular and sustainable. The glass walls were brought in from Amsterdam, the insulation material was manufactured from recycled jeans and we can even take the radiators with us when we leave,” says Geert. “We also created a harvesting station in the basement, which houses leftover glass, profiles and panels … That way, if we want to change something at a later date, the material is always to hand. We used it to build our kitchenette for instance.”

They also had to completely redesign the layout of their new office space, to promote efficient working practices. “There was no competition when it came to circular walls,” says Geert. “I was instantly sold on JUUNOO’s clickable wall panel system, which you can install without damaging the environment. Another massive benefit is that JUUNOO walls are only anchored to the ceiling. This means that you can quickly dismantle them, stack neatly on a pallet and reposition elsewhere, even if the dimensions at the new location differ.” To complete the circle, the architectural firm consciously chose to use walls that had enjoyed a previous life. “There’s no discernible difference between the new and recycled materials.”

The essence of circular construction? Continually asking yourself the question: “can we reuse the material?”

The essence of circular construction? Continually asking yourself the question: “can we reuse the material?”

Associated challenges

Furnishing the building was, however, accompanied by a number of challenges. “When installing the glass, we discovered that our supplier had made a mistake and his measurement was out by two centimetres. Since we’d already built the framework for the walls, we naturally wondered: “what now?” Normally that glass would have ended up on the rubbish heap. Fortunately, the JUUNOO system allows you to slide the panels down without anyone ever noticing. We were therefore able to experience the flexibility and adaptability of the JUUNOO system first-hand. Even our fitters were impressed.”

Associated challenges

Furnishing the building was, however, accompanied by a number of challenges. “When installing the glass, we discovered that our supplier had made a mistake and his measurement was out by two centimetres. Since we’d already built the framework for the walls, we naturally wondered: “what now?” Normally that glass would have ended up on the rubbish heap. Fortunately, the JUUNOO system allows you to slide the panels down without anyone ever noticing. We were therefore able to experience the flexibility and adaptability of the JUUNOO system first-hand. Even our fitters were impressed.”

"JUUNOO shows that the circular principle in construction is perfectly possible."​

"JUUNOO shows that the circular principle in construction is perfectly possible."

Complex story

Geert Vyncke points out that there’s still plenty of work to be done in the building sector. “We generate a huge volume of construction waste that’s unfortunately still growing. Whilst society in general is trying to do its bit when it comes to the waste stream, that’s certainly not the case in the construction world. Which is why it’s so important to use circular materials.”

"Even our fitters were impressed”.

According to Geert, there’s a high demand for circular solutions in academia. But no one’s brave enough to tackle the issue head on. “If you want to construct a circular building, then you’ve got to harvest or manufacture the materials using circular technology. But you’ve also got to combine the materials in a circular fashion. That’s what makes the story so complex. Recycled materials must boast the same quality as new ones. This is certainly the case with JUUNOO walls. Their innovative concept and design ensures that the system is both reusable and extremely durable. Which proves that circular principles can be applied to construction, ” concludes Geert Vyncke.

Complex story

Geert Vyncke points out that there’s still plenty of work to be done in the building sector. “We generate a huge volume of construction waste that’s unfortunately still growing. Whilst society in general is trying to do its bit when it comes to the waste stream, that’s certainly not the case in the construction world. Which is why it’s so important to use circular materials.”

"Even our fitters were impressed”.

According to Geert, there’s a high demand for circular solutions in academia. But no one’s brave enough to tackle the issue head on. “If you want to construct a circular building, then you’ve got to harvest or manufacture the materials using circular technology. But you’ve also got to combine the materials in a circular fashion. That’s what makes the story so complex. Recycled materials must boast the same quality as new ones. This is certainly the case with JUUNOO walls. Their innovative concept and design ensures that the system is both reusable and extremely durable. Which proves that circular principles can be applied to construction, ” concludes Geert Vyncke.

Author picture

CONIX RDBM Architects was founded 25 years ago by architects Christine Conix, Jorden Goossenaerts and Frederik Jacob, and has offices in Antwerp, Brussels, Rotterdam and Terneuzen. The architectural firm has undergone significant growth in recent years and now boasts a 65-strong team of employees who collaborate on a variety of projects. Functionality, flexibility, sustainability and aesthetics are central to every assignment.

Author picture

CONIX RDBM Architects was founded 25 years ago by architects Christine Conix, Jorden Goossenaerts and Frederik Jacob, and has offices in Antwerp, Brussels, Rotterdam and Terneuzen. The architectural firm has undergone significant growth in recent years and now boasts a 65-strong team of employees who collaborate on a variety of projects. Functionality, flexibility, sustainability and aesthetics are central to every assignment.

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