The HER opened: circular centre and knowledge source for circular construction
Building a circular future
In Rotterdam, The HER was officially opened: a circular centre where entrepreneurs make new products from materials which people deliver to the nearby environmental park. Together, they form the city's new raw materials centre. The buildings are largely constructed from reused materials: the environmental park even more than 95%, The HER more than 70%. From staircases to toilet doors and ceilings - almost everything has been given a second life. The interior is composed of reused elements, giving the building a unique look and feel.
Knowledge centre for circular building
The HER is not only a paragon of circular building, but also a place for knowledge sharing. The lessons from the design and construction process have been compiled on the platform her-bouwen.nl, an initiative of BAM, Roelofs and the city of Rotterdam. In this way, they aim to inspire and support other municipalities, architects, and construction companies in the transition to circular construction.
Social impact
During the festive opening on 22 May, alderman Zeegers emphasised the importance of this approach: ‘We are not only building here with recycled materials, but also on a new way of thinking.’ The HER contributes to social awareness around sustainability and circularity. Visitors can not only hand in materials there but also participate in workshops and exhibitions for reuse.
A step towards a circular city
With The HER, Rotterdam is taking an important step towards a circular city, where waste becomes a raw material and knowledge is shared for a sustainable future.
