Penthouse for peregrine falcon forms highest point of SAWA SAWA Rotterdam celebrates another special milestone

SAWA, the first ever 50-meter-high circular wooden residential building in the Netherlands, has reached its highest point. This milestone was symbolically marked by the placement of a specially designed nesting box, "the penthouse for the peregrine falcon," on the roof of SAWA, bringing the iconic building to its final height.

Watch the video of SAWA's highest point here:

Circular wooden construction

SAWA, located in the heart of Rotterdam, is much more than just a residential building. It is a symbol of sustainability, healthy living, circular building combined with mid-rent and free sector housing. The use of wood as the main building material plays a crucial role in this, as wood is a renewable raw material that produces CO₂ stores instead of emissions. By building in wood, we are in line with the Paris Agreement with the goal of not allowing temperatures to rise more than 1.5 degrees by 2050. SAWA's innovative construction ensures that materials can be easily reused in the future, making the building fully circular.

We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved so far," said Mark Compeer of NICE Developers "SAWA is not only a technological breakthrough in construction, but also an example of how we can develop cities in a sustainable and healthy way. This project shows how we can build housing and also contribute to a better climate.

Nature-inclusive design

In addition to its pioneering design and circular wooden construction, SAWA also contributes to the city's biodiversity. The facades contain as many as 700 linear meters of planters, containing more than 3,000 site-specific plants from 19 different plant species. In addition, 140 nesting boxes have been integrated, including the specially designed nesting box for the peregrine falcon. Through this nature-inclusive approach, SAWA enhances biodiversity and connects to the existing ecological structures of the area.

Penthouse for the peregrine falcon

Rotterdam is popular among peregrine falcons. According to Bureau Stadsnatuur, they like to nest on high buildings to have an overview of their prey. SAWA is an interesting place for the peregrine falcon because of its location on the river Maas. This is because the bird of prey feeds not only on urban pigeons, but also on birds that follow the water. There are now nine peregrine falcon couples living in Rotterdam. Now we have to wait and see when the tenth pair will move into the nest box on the roof of SAWA.

Especially in the urban and largely stony environment of Lloydkwartier, SAWA offers great added value for the biodiversity of the entire neighborhood." says ecologist Niels de Zwarte of Bureau Stadsnatuur, who is closely involved in the project. "By creating habitats for birds, butterflies and bees, we help nature find a place in an otherwise petrified environment.

Completion in sight

With construction reaching its highest point, the completion of SAWA is getting closer and closer. SAWA will feature 50 mid-rent homes, 20 free sector rental homes and 39 owner-occupied homes. The completion of the first homes is scheduled for the middle of next year. On the first floor will be a catering establishment and a social facility, for which an operator is still being sought.

Cooperating partners

SAWA is being developed by NICE Developers and TBI company ERA Contour, which is also responsible for construction. Derix Group supplies and assembles the wood. Mei architects and planners is the architect behind the project, and Focus on Impact serves as investor for the rental housing.