Circular and modular homes for the social housing sector
The Circular and modular homes for social housing project aims to realize a market-
ready, economically feasible, circular, flexible and attractive solution to the challenges
in social housing through regional chain collaboration.
The basis of the new living concept is to make the modular circular terraced house
suitable for social housing. The house is distinguished by the fact that it: (1) can be
dismantled, so that its materials can be recovered and reused after use; (2) is built
with sustainable (biobased (roadside grass) and circular) materials; (3) is built using a
nitrogen-free modular construction method; (4) is affordable and low-maintenance;
(5) has a long lifespan and is suitable for temporary and permanent housing; (6) is
comfortable, attractive and quickly available; and (7) is energy efficient and self-
sufficient (NOM home energy-saving windows and insulation.
In order to make an impact, it is important to work multidisciplinary and with the entire
chain and to respond to the wishes of the end users.
For this purpose, the consortium formed, led by the Brightlands Chemelot Campus,
consists of various chain partners, from (SME) businesses to knowledge institutions,
from technology developers to housing associations and from training centers to
market parties. In addition, resident panels/starters are involved in this project
through a housing association, open innovation is used to deploy circular innovations
from Limburg SMEs and startups in the demonstration homes, and there are experts
such as Rabobank in the field of financing (see partner description and LOI (
Appendix A)) involved in relevant issues such as the financing model and scaling up.
The Chemelot Campus supports the developers in the development and testing of
the new materials and manages the project.
Block Materials, in collaboration with the Maeconomy Foundation, is the hub in the
web for developing the living concept. In particular on the revenue model of the
concept. This revenue model guarantees circular use of materials. Materials retain
value, meaning they can be taken back by manufacturers after use and reused for
the same applications. Retaining value means lower costs for the user.
To make the home even more financially accessible, an accessible method of
financing is being sought. The combination of a circular revenue model and
accessible financing model makes the high quality of the circular home available for a
low price.
The Consortium consists of Chemelot Campus, CHILL, CUBE Homes, Stichting
Maeconomy, ECOR, Mosa Tiles, TNO/BMC, Bouwmensen, Zuyd Hogeschool,
ZOwonen, Rabobank. The project is subsidized in part by the European Union’s OPZuid grant.
