In the botanical garden of Fredriksoord, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Netherlands, Studio Method has created The Reading Room in the Forest. This small retreat reimagines historical building traditions to meet today’s environmental needs. Designed for DeProef and supported by the Creative Industries Fund’s 2024 Talent Development Grant, the structure shows how circular design can result in both low-impact construction and architectural beauty.

Inspired by Local History and Materials

The pavilion takes inspiration from the region’s “pioneer colonies” of the 1700s. These communities, formed by settlers who resisted Dutch colonial policies, built homes using salvaged materials. Studio Method used this legacy as a starting point, combining it with modern strategies to reduce waste and emissions.

Circular Design with Measurable Impact

The project achieved a 98% reuse rate and sequestered an estimated 7 tonnes of CO₂. It also earned a environmental performance (‘Milieu Prestatie Gebouwen’ or MPG) score of 0.16—far below the legal Dutch threshold of 0.80. These results stem from a thoughtful approach to sourcing.

For instance, 30% of the materials came directly from the site itself. This included reclaimed timber, greenhouse panels made of extruded acrylic, concrete debris from demolished structures, and salvaged wood. The design also made use of waste wool from local farms and mineral wool insulation from a renovation project.

Building Through Repair and Adaptation

Studio Method built the pavilion with a modest budget of €15,000 and a small team. Rather than buying new materials, they focused on restoring what was available. They cleaned decades-old acrylic panels, washed raw wool by hand, and refurbished wooden window frames. This slow, hands-on method made the most of every component.

To manage the irregular sizes and properties of reused materials, the team separated the insulated timber core from the roof and foundation. This made the structure more adaptable. They also designed custom joints to handle inconsistencies in dimension, allowing various materials to fit together seamlessly.

A Model for Sustainable Design

The Reading Room offers a clear example for architects, interior designers, and landscape architects who aim to design more sustainably. It shows that circular construction does not require high-tech systems or large budgets. Instead, it relies on creativity, care, and a deep understanding of material potential.

Source: Studio Method
Photos: Riccardo De Vecchi