Construction has begun on BoogieWood, the Netherlands’ largest modular Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) residential building, located in the Binckhorst area of The Hague. This development, led by VORM in collaboration with Haag Wonen, incorporates sustainable materials and modular building methods to deliver 702 homes with a focus on affordability and environmental impact reduction.

Modular Timber Construction and Sustainability
The project uses CLT, a renewable and biobased material, as its primary structural component. CLT offers advantages such as a reduced carbon footprint, thermal efficiency, and faster construction timelines. Phase one of BoogieWood includes 293 homes built with 28,000m² of CLT, constructed on top of an existing two-story parking garage with a gross floor area of 10,000m².

The modular construction method employed by VORM allows for a projected build time of 18–24 months, reducing the time, costs, and resources associated with traditional building processes. Additionally, the lighter weight of CLT is essential for building on top of the existing structure, ensuring structural feasibility while lowering material usage.

Environmental and Economic Impact
The modular CLT method significantly reduces CO2 emissions compared to conventional construction, aligning with climate goals such as the Paris Agreement. By prefabricating CLT elements locally, the project also minimizes transportation emissions and waste. This approach is intended to reduce material usage and contribute to circular building practices.

BoogieWood’s design includes green spaces and biophilic elements to enhance urban biodiversity and provide an improved living environment for residents. It also aims to address the growing need for affordable housing in The Hague while maintaining a sustainable and community-focused approach.

Project Scope and Features
BoogieWood combines residential, green, and community-focused spaces within a mixed-use design. In total, the project spans 81,500m² of gross floor area. The development emphasizes affordability, targeting both social and affordable rental housing. The first phase prioritizes creating high-quality homes with biobased finishes and sustainable materials.

Hans Meurs, CEO of VORM, highlights the objectives: “BoogieWood demonstrates how modular timber construction can reduce construction time, CO2 emissions, and material use while contributing to sustainable urban living.”

Material Innovation in Practice
The use of CLT and biobased materials in BoogieWood illustrates how material innovation can meet the demands of modern urban development. CLT is gaining traction for its combination of strength, sustainability, and adaptability. Its use in modular construction also supports efficient scalability, making it a practical choice for high-density urban environments.

This project serves as a case study in sustainable building practices, offering insights into how architects, urban planners, and designers can integrate biobased materials and modular methods into future developments.

Source: duurzaam-ondernemen.nl