SAWA Rotterdam
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The healthiest building in the Netherlands Commissioned by NICE Developers & ERA Contour, Mei architects and planners is designing “SAWA”. SAWA is a unique and circular wooden residential building of 50 meters high, adding value to the neighbourhood and the city in the broadest sense. These “shared values” relate to CO2 reduction, enhancing biodiversity and creating a circular building with affordable housing for an inclusive community. SAWA’s exceptional feature is that the building is constructed entirely of CLT (cross laminated timber), whereby the use of concrete is kept to a minimum. This makes SAWA the first fully tall wooden residential building in Rotterdam. The building is distinctive in its appearance due to the generous green terraces, which refer to the history of the location and at the same time reinforce the biodiversity in the neighbourhood. The conviction and drive of both client and architect to not only design but also realise a revolutionary concept like SAWA is nourished by the ambition to contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and the achievement of (inter)national climate goals on the one hand, and to create affordable housing at the same time. This brochure, a joint publication of Mei architects and planners and NICE developers, offers more information on the context and design concept of SAWA. On behalf of team Mei and NICE, enjoy reading! Client NICE Developers & ERA Contour Architect Mei architects and planners Contractor ERA Contour Constructor Pieters Bouwtechniek Fire safety consultant Adviesbureau Hamerlinck Building costs consultant Maatwerk in Bouwadvies Wood, innovation, and sustainability Aldus Bouwinnovatie Technical timber construction Pirmin Jung & Derix Group Timber supplier Derix Group Ecology Copijn Biodiversity Bureau Stadsnatuur & Piet Vollaard Building physics consultant DGMR Wind consultant Peutz Architectural consultant Duoplan Visuals Mei architects and planners, WAX & De Beeldenfabriek 3
Lloydkwartier From port area to vibrant residential and business district The Lloydkwartier has a rich maritime past that goes back to around 1900. The Lloyd pier is named after the shipping company Rotterdamsche Lloyd, which built a terminal on the pier from where its passenger ships departed to the east of the world. The SAWA building owes its name to the stepped shape with generous green terraces, as a reference to Eastern rice fields and to the history of the site.
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The Lloydpier is one of the most water-rich neighbourhoods in the centre of Rotterdam. The district is characterised by a mix of architecture: from transformed monumental warehouses and old harbour monuments to unique new buildings. Thanks to the multitude of cultural and culinary hotspots, the proximity of the inner city and the parc, the tough character of the area and the view of the water, the Lloydkwartier has grown over the past 15 years from an industrial harbour area to a popular residential area.
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Zoning plan model
Improving relation to surroundings
Suggested volume
+ maximum m2
+ softening the living block + taking sightlines into account + creating better square space + more air in the streets + addition to the existing buildings + easy accessible deck for joint use + larger underpass for better sightlines
“A building volume that responds to its environment, has a living deck at +1 and with an optimal living pleasure for its user”
- hard, high walls - doesn’t take surroundings into account (sightlines, users) - dificult plot shape - dark streets
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Concept → The name SAWA refers to Eastern rice fields and history of the site → The building volume responds to its environment → Green link: connecting the neighborhood garden to the green deck on +1, extending up to the terraces
A conscious choice was made to reduce the building volume of SAWA compared to the zoning plan model and to introduce a stepped volume on the west side. This comes with several advantages. The new volume connects SAWA to the surrounding buildings in the Lloydkwartier and takes existing sight lines into account. An open square will be created on the west side of the lot and air and light will be preserved in the streets. The building’s shape also provides spacious terraces for the residents and a large communal deck on the first floor. SAWA’s design is based on four key core values: CO2 reduction, enhancing biodiversity and creating a circular building with affordable housing for an inclusive community.
Air CO2 reduction
Earth Circularity
Plants & animals Biodiversity
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People Inclusivity & sharing
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CO2 budget NL:
230 kg CO2 / sqm bvo
SAWA - Embodied Carbon : approx. 150 kg CO2 / sqm bvo Stored Carbon: approx. -/- 275 kg CO2 / sqm bvo Carbon balance: approx. -/- 125 kg CO2 / sqm bvo
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CO2 reduction → Groundbreaking approach to timber construction to make a lasting impact → Paris proof design → Hout is veiliger, sneller, duurzamer én herbruikbaar
In the context of the Paris and Glasgow Climate Accords, European Green Deal, UN Sustainable Development Goals and Rotterdam City Council targets to reduce CO2 emissions, the client and architect share the ambition to build the building almost entirely in Cross Laminate Timber (CLT) and Glulam (laminated timber). Together with a team of experts, existing solutions are combined, and innovations are designed to optimize the application of wood; minimizing the amount of concrete and steel in the design; and solving the resulting fire, noise, and vibration problems. Apart from the advantage that wood stores CO2, thus reducing emissions, it is an excellent building material. Compared to concrete, wood is lighter, faster, safer, more durable and also reusable. In addition, the use of wood increases living comfort. At SAWA, the wood in the residences and on the galleries and balconies is kept in sight as much as possible. Only where the perception of the wood is minimal (storage room, toilet, bathroom e.g.), the wood is finished with plaster. Most of the design solutions and technical elaborations are not new in themselves. SAWA’s innovation lies in the combination of all the elements that contribute to the construction of a 50-metre-high residential building, whose main load-bearing structure consists of 75% biobased and circular materials. SAWA is thus a exemplary project for new generations, an important step towards sustainability goals and demonstrable proof that things can be done differently.
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exibiliteit Flexibiliteit | Open | Open structuur structuur - Open - Open Building Building
eenGeen dragende dragende wanden wanden
galerijgalerij
galerijgalerij
meterkast meterkast schacht schacht (mechanische (mechanische extractie, extractie, riool, ventilatie) riool, ventilatie)
houten houten kolomkolom (gelamineerd (gelamineerd hout) hout)
houten houten balk balk (gelamineerd (gelamineerd hout) hout)
balkonbalkon
balkonbalkon
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Circularity → Demountable to pure building material → Dry mass for maximum flexibility and separability → Open building for maximum freedom and future-proofing
SAWA is built using a modular timber construction system consisting of columns, beams and floorboards. SAWA sets a new standard when it comes to circular construction with a floor composed of CLT topped with dry ballast instead of concrete. As a result, the components in the floor are fully circular and the materials are detachable and reusable in the future (urban mining). SAWA’s design is based on the Open Building principle: the main load-bearing structure is not composed of closed walls, but is instead an open structure of columns and beams. This creates a high degree of flexibility and free layout for both first-time buyers and future generations and contributes to the future-proofing of the building. The structure is made of Cross-laminated Timber (CLT). The trees used for SAWA come from sustainable production forests in West Germany. For every tree that felled, four trees of a different species are planted back. SAWA is a low installation building, with a healthy indoor climate and possibilities for future adaptations. The flats are equipped with a CO2-controlled ventilation system. As soon as too much CO2 is measured in the flat, the ventilation system turns on and fresh outside air enters the flat rooms directly. The district heating is sustainable and PV panels will be installed on the roofs. The energy generated by the PV panels will be used for example to charge the shared cars.
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lonicera periclymenum
amelanchier
hypericum
ilex verticillata
weigel
caryopteri
Icarus blue
Honeybee
Day peacock
Swift
Dwarf bat
Black redstart
SAWA breaks ground for the Black redstart Groundwork started at SAWA in August 2022, with the top layer of earth being excavated to make room for the foundation. This soil was not simply removed; ten bigbags were filled to the brim at the construction site. The soil on which SAWA is being built is full of roots and seeds of plants that were already there or spontaneously arrived. By saving the top few centimetres of earth from the construction site, the seeds in it are saved. This fertile soil is now being temporarily stored. Once SAWA is ready, this earth will be applied to SAWA’s roof so that the native plants can start growing there. With this ‘brown roof’, SAWA contributes to biodiversity in the neighbourhood and the black redstart, a frequently spotted guest in the Lloyd Quarter, will continue to visit SAWA.
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Biodiversity → 600 linear metres of planters → Year-round green plan provides good habitat for birds, bees and butterflies → 140 integrated nesting boxes
Migration to urban areas continues, and Dutch cities continue to grow steadily. Unfortunately, the quality of life in cities is increasingly suffering from this growth. The effects of this urbanisation on the human ecosystem, such as flooding, heat stress and an increase in CO2 emissions, are becoming increasingly apparent. At the same time, the habitat of birds, bees, butterflies and other insects is significantly reduced by the continuous expansion of urban buildings and petrification of our environment. SAWA’s design heralds a turning point in this development and contributes to fostering a healthy living environment for both people and animals. In collaboration with city ecologists and biologists, SAWA has been designed nature-inclusively. For example, 600 linear metres of perennial flower and plant containers on the terraces and balconies are included in the design. The planting is site-specific (depending on the orientation to the sun and the height in the building) and chosen in such a way that the plants provide food for the animal species. Nesting boxes will be installed on and attached to the building, providing safe shelter for birds and insects. As a result, SAWA connects to existing ecological structures in the city and enhances the biodiversity of the neighbourhood.
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“SAWA, also known as the ‘healthiest building in the Netherlands‘, is thus a model project for new generations, an important step in the sustainability goals and demonstrable proof that things can be done differently.” Robert Winkel, Mei architects + NICE Developers
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Inclusivity → 109 residential flats → 50% affordable rent → A mix of mid-rent, free sector rental and free sector private sale
SAWA contains 109 apartments, with sizes ranging from 50 to 285 square metres. In addition to 39 owner-occupied properties, the programme also includes 20 free sector rental flats and 50 mid-rent residences. This variation in area and price ranges ensures a wide variety of options and makes SAWA accessible to different income groups, which has always been one of the core values of this project. From the very beginning, the aim was to create affordable housing in SAWA. Almost half of the total number of homes fall within the middle rental category, with monthly rental prices between 700 and 1,000 euros. With this, we ensure that middle-income people in particular are given the opportunity to live in SAWA. SAWA is being developed in the heart of the Lloydkwartier district. Because of this location, by creating places in the design for encounters and by connecting to existing local initiatives, SAWA will be of added value for the entire district. The plinth of the building will contain various facilities, and the deck will act as a green connector between the building and surrounding green spaces (such as the neighbourhood garden), adding value for both residents and neighbours.
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Shared values → Shared facilities for residents → Communal, semi-public vegetable garden → Centrally located, green meeting place in the neighbourhood
SAWA is being developed in the heart of the Lloydkwartier district. Because of this location, by creating places in the design for encounters and by connecting to existing local initiatives, SAWA will be of added value for the entire district. The plinth of the building will contain various facilities, and the deck will act as a green connector between the building and surrounding green spaces (such as the neighbourhood garden), adding value for both residents and neighbours. The houses are accessed via a gallery. This form of access was deliberately chosen to encourage contact between the residents. The success of this design choice has already proven itself in many other projects by Mei, such as Fenix I. The residential concept in SAWA is distinguished by various shared functions - such as shared mobility, collective repairroom and vegetable garden which actively create a community.
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“We build the city with love for the neighborhood and nature. Pioneering in a sustainable, nature-friendly and social way, we develop SAWA from and for the community. With SAWA, we are offering a gift to the city.” Mark Compeer, NICE Developers
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total of
3,000 plants
4,800 tons CO2
circular
stored in wood
600m1 planters
nature inclusive energy zero
The N Gre Stan
6,000
20+ different species
replanted trees
60%
recycled material
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140
averge of
40m2
nesting boxes for birds, bats, insects
New een ndard
outdoor space per
gezond wonen
50%
open building
mid market rent for an inclusive community
800m2
common deck with vegetable garden
shared ownership
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SAWA in progress 11.2019
11.2021
06.2022
08.2022
Q4 2024
Launch SAWA concept
Start sale
Building permit granted
Start construction
SAWA completed
11.2022 Symbolic starting signal for the start of construction A future resident of SAWA, the municipality of Rotterdam, NICE Developers and ERA Contour, Mei architects and planners, and Focus Real Estate together filled a SAWA planter.
10.2022 Mock-up of SAWA is built on site This test assembly will allow measurements to be taken, in order to optimise the technical elaboration of SAWA. 30
SAWA on tour SAWA is a pioneering example project for many and provides an answer to a multitude of current social issues facing not only the real estate and architecture industry, but society as a whole. SAWA’s full timber scale model and its iconic LEGO brother are desirable objects at many fairs and exhibitions and travels throughout Europe. SAWA has been on show at, amongst others, architecture galery OMI and the New Institute in Rotterdam, the International Architecture Biennale, and the Expo Real in Munich. When not on tour, the model can be marveled at in Nice Place in Rotterdam.
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Awards SAWA is the tallest timber circular building in the Netherlands and a pioneering project in Europe. It is the first time this technology has been used to build at this height (15 floors). SAWA is internationally acclaimed for both its high level of innovation and aesthetic excellence.
Paris Design Awards (FR) category: Green Architecture winner
ARC20 Innovatie Award (NL) winner
Architizer A+ Sustainability Awards (USA) Popular Choice Award winner
2023
Middenhuur award (NL) honorable mention
MIPIM Architectural Review Future Project Award (UK/FR) category: Residential honorable mention
Architecture Masterprize (USA) winner
International Design Awards (EU) winner
Architizer A+ Awards (USA) category: Unbuilt – MultiUnit Housing honorable mention
Iconic Awards for Innovative architecture (DE) category: Concept honorable mention
World Architecture Festival (UK) category: Future Projects – Experimental winner
Green GOOD Design Award (UK) winner
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SAWA in de media SAWA has been published more than 200 times in local, national and international media since February 2020. Including in the Netherlands, USA, Italy, Spain, Poland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, UK and France.
Financial Times “SAWA is paving the way to a climate-conscious future. The challenge for SAWA is to set an example that is impossible for mainstream developers and investors to resist.” Domus “Focused on circular timber construction, biodiversity and health, SAWA, designed by Mei Architects and Planners in Rotterdam, aims to prove that humans can built and live in a sustainable way.” Het Financieele Dagblad (FD) “This residential tower in Rotterdam really has all the boxes: it is sustainable, made of wood, circular, demountable, inclusive, affordable, social and healthy, because it is designed according to the laws of biophilia, which preaches more nature in the built environment.” Triodos “Residential tower SAWA pushes the boundaries of timber construction.” De Architect, jury ARC20 award “SAWA is relevant and promising because of the scale of wood construction. It will be the most innovative, tallest timber building in the Netherlands. This is a new concept, smart and aesthetic, energy saving and possibly the tipping point in the wood building revolution.” Archivibe “Mei commits to contributing to a healthy living environment, and working with timber increases the possibilities for nature-inclusive solutions.” AD newspaper “The Rotterdam firm is realizing SAWA, an first all-timber residential complex. By working with CLT, CO2 emissions and consstruction time are being reduced.” Architectenweb “With SAWA, Mei proposes an alternative solution to contributing to a healthy living climate.” De Architect “SAWA will be exemplary for new generations. It is an important step towards sustainability goals and demonstrable evidence that things can be done differently.” Houtwereld “The architectural firm strongly cares about meeting the latest sustainability goals, regarding the European Green Deal, UN Sustainable Development Goals and the municipality of Rotterdam.” Cobouw “The extraordinary bearing construction from CLT makes SAWA completely dismountable and circular.” Discover Benelux “Not only is SAWA the healthiest building in the Netherlands, but it is also a beacon of hope for other cities dealing with the same challenges.... SAWA stands as a testament to what is possible when a positive solutions-based approach unfolds.” 33
Mei architects and planners Schiehavenkade 150 3024EZ Rotterdam The Netherlands +31 10 425 22 22 www.mei-arch.eu
meiarch mei_architects_and_planners Mei architects and planners
Schiecentrale Rotterdam - office Mei architects and planners, photography: Jan-Paul Mioulet
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Mei architects and planners Mei architects and planners realises leading projects in the Netherlands and abroad. Our work is founded on respect for the environment: for the history of the location, the current context and future living environment. Based on our expertise in the field of adaptive re-use of architectural heritage, new build projects and urban development strategies, we work on designs that put the user first. Our distinct designs tell their own story, which increases the involvement with the building and the connection between its users. With creativity, expertise and courage, we introduce innovative technical applications and user concepts that contribute to social and ecological sustainability. Mei was founded by Robert Winkel, who leads the firm together with Michiel van Loon and Robert Platje. Established in Rotterdam, we work with an ambitious, international team on assignments in the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Norway, among other countries. The office structure is based on the knowledge divisions of Building Transformation, New Construction and Urban Development, within which research is fostered and knowledge is secured. To further increase brain power and decisiveness, Mei seeks collaboration with various parties in the field, from experts in the area of urban nature to the building materials industry. Mei’s work has been widely published and awarded. Mei is known for transformation projects such as Fenix I and Jobsveem in Rotterdam and the Cheese Warehouse in Gouda, and new construction such as Schiecentrale 4B and the McDonald’s pavilion at Coolsingel in Rotterdam. With the design and development of SAWA, a fully wooden residential building in Rotterdam, Mei is a pioneer in the field of creating future-proof, nature-inclusive housing. At an urban planning level, Mei specialises in complex inner-city and redevelopment projects. Mei designs dynamic masterplans for, among other things, the site of the former silk factory in Naro-Fominsk, the OPG location in Utrecht and the Cable District in Delft.
Team Mei on the SAWA site, photography: Ossip van Duivenbode
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NICE Developers It is undeniable that building according to the current model is no longer sustainable. This demands immediate action! As far as Mei and NICE are concerned, Paris Proof construction, with a strong emphasis on community and well-being, is the new standard. This calls a radically new approach, seamless collaboration, and a willingness to redefine norms. It requires self sacrifice, including settling for less profit, but it is certainly achievable for those who are determined. NICE developers is a socially committed timber developer, taking responsibility by contributing within its means to a better climate for people and animals. ‘Nice guys’ Robert Winkel and Mark Compeer prove that they are capable of creating forward-thinking, green, healthy buildings that deliver a positive impact for neighbourhood, people and climate. Where others hesitate, they unleash a radical change in the system and provide concrete evidence by successfully realising their projects. Their combined knowledge and experience of project development, architecture and urban planning make them a solid duo. Chain integration between the developer and architect (Mei architects and planners) ensures insight into quality and money and, above all, shorter lead times. A realistic outlook, pragmatic approach and fearless style typify their working method, inspired by a love of people, frustration with the status quo and a great drive for action. NICE developers set a new standard of real estate development, focused on the well-being of people and nature, based on eight “shared values”:
❶ CO2 positive - because timber construction captures more CO2 than it emits ❷ Inclusive - by including accessible housing in the programme ❸ Social programme - for social encounters and contribution to a better world ❹ Community - through communal spaces, sharing of goods (from drills to cars) and facilities for and by residents and the neighbourhood ❺ Circular/separable - through innovation in timber construction using the NICE buildings concept
❻ Biodiversity - through the use of greenery and nesting boxes (nature-inclusive) ❼ Sustainable - through climate-adaptive design and with renewable energy sources ❽ Healthy living - through healthy indoor climate, ample outdoor space, the use of wood and fewer installations
Mark Compeer (l) en Robert Winkel (r), founders NICE Developers
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From tree to site During the construction of SAWA, NICE developers travels in the footprints of SAWA’s materials. Aiming to witness first-hand how sustainable the production process actually is. Mark and Robert of NICE seek answers to questions such as: Where does SAWA’s wood originate from? Are the trees being harvested sustainably? And how is the CLT produced in a sustainable way? Watch the episodes on Vimeo via the QR code.
Episode #1: Derix houtfabriek, Westerkappeln
Episode #2: Duurzaam productiebos, Nordrhein Westfalen
SAWA experience Want to know more about SAWA, and visit the SAWA mock-up? For groups of professionals or students (from around 8 people), Mei and NICE are happy to organise a SAWA experience at NICE Place or on location. Scan the QR code to sign up or mail to: pr@nicedevelopers.nl or pr@mei-arch.eu
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NICE Buildings → Revolutionary circular timber construction concept → Unique in Europe → Certified → Reproducible → Variants in new buildings & add-on solutions Building with wood has attracted huge interest in the Netherlands for several years now, and demand for timber buildings among developers and investors, companies and institutions, corporations and private individuals is rising sharply. The French government has decided that all new public buildings financed by the state should consist of at least 50% wood as part of its sustainability policy. And the Amsterdam region also aims to carry out 20% of its housing production in wood construction by 2025, rising to 50% by 2050. At the same time, timber construction is complex and raises many questions. Questions to which NICE provides answers. NICE Developers has a proven, feasible and certified timber building concept. The NICE Buildings Concept of columns, beams and floors is flexible in dimensions, it is circular/removable ánd it is reproducible through an industrialised process, allowing us to build flexibly up to 100 metres high. Additionally, what makes the NICE Buildings concept truly unique is the combination of timber construction with accessible rental and owner-occupied housing (inclusive), nature-inclusive design to promote biodiversity, and communal spaces for building community. SAWA is compelling evidence of the feasibility and realisability of the NICE Buildings concept. The approved building system ( adopted by the Municipality of Rotterdam, among others) can be applied to both new buildings and when topping up existing properties. And within the NICE Concept, different types of models and forms are possible. A crucial advantage of the NICE Buildings concept is the possibility of carrying out a quick scan at an early stage, allowing a quick assessment of the development possibilities.
NICE Concept: the Slab
NICE Concept: the Tower
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NICE Concept: the Chunk
NICE Concept - Topping up on existing property
1. Circular timber building on top
2. Nature inclusive design
3. Building on existing qualities
More information or quick scan? Interested in finding out if the NICE Buildings concept is feasible at a specific location? Visit the NICE website for more information or contact us for an introduction and quick scan via info@nicedevelopers.nl
NICE Developers Schiehavenkade 150 3024EZ Rotterdam The Netherlands +31 10 425 22 22 www.nicedevelopers.nl
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This SAWA brochure is a joint publication of Mei architects and planners and NICE Developers. version 10.2023
woneninSAWA.nl
The paper for this brochure is made from 60% recycled and 40% primary FSCcertified fibre and carries the quality the EU Ecolabel. The paper is FSC®-certified, which gives the assurance that the raw material for the paper comes from responsibly managed forests.