SAWA
The circular wooden residential building SAWA in Rotterdam is a flagship project for new generations, a significant step towards sustainability goals, and proof that alternative approaches are viable. Behind this award-winning design lies the strong ambition of both client and architect to contribute to CO2-reduction and the achievement of climate goals, as well as the addition of affordable housing and facilities that are valuable to the entire neighborhood.
- Location
- Lloydstraat, Rotterdam
- Scale
- 12.500 m2 GFA
- Program
- 109 residences (50 mid-segment rental, 20 private sector rental, 39 owner-occupied), hospitality, and amenities.
- Status
- 12
- Developer
- NICE Developers ERA Contour
- Architect
- Mei architects and planners
- Builder
- ERA Contour
- Investor
- Focus on Impact
SAWA's Four Core Values
SAWA Rotterdam is a unique, circular, and Paris Proof wooden residential building 50 meters high. Four core values guided its design and development: CO2-reduction (air), Circularity (earth), Biodiversity (animals and plants), Inclusivity, health and sharing (people).
CO2-reduction
What makes SAWA exceptional is that the building is entirely constructed from CLT (cross laminated timber) and Glulam (laminated timber): the use of concrete has been minimized. This makes SAWA a Paris Proof building, fully in line with the Paris and Glasgow Climate Agreements, the European Green Deal, UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the objectives of the municipality of Rotterdam to reduce CO2-emissions. The advantages of building with CLT are manifold. Firstly, wood stores CO2 2, thereby reducing emissions. Furthermore, it is an excellent building material because, compared to concrete, it is lighter, faster, safer, more sustainable, and reusable. Additionally, we enhance living comfort through the application and warm aesthetic of wood. At SAWA, the wood in the residences, galleries, and balconies has therefore been kept as visible as possible.
Circularity
For SAWA, a circular timber construction system with dry, separable solutions has been applied. The floors are constructed from CLT with a dry ballast on top instead of (cast) concrete. All components in the floor are thus detachable in the future, and the materials are reusable (urban mining). SAWA thereby sets a new standard in circular construction. The design of SAWA is based on the Open Building principle: the main load-bearing structure consists of floors, beams, and columns. This creates a high degree of flexibility and adaptable layouts. This contributes to the future-proofness of the building.
The trees used for the CLT construction originate from sustainable production forests in North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany. For every tree harvested, four trees of different species were replanted. Furthermore, applied materials are as biobased as possible and provided with a materials passport.
Biodiversity
Dutch cities continue to grow, and the quality of life is increasingly under pressure. The consequences of this urbanization on the human ecosystem – water nuisance, heat stress, and increased CO2-emissions – are becoming increasingly visible and noticeable. Simultaneously, the habitat of birds, bees, butterflies, and other insects is significantly restricted by the same development. SAWA brings about a shift in this development by contributing to a healthy living environment for humans, plants, and animals. This begins with a nature-inclusive design developed in collaboration with urban ecologists and biologists. For example, there are permanent flower and plant boxes on the terraces and balconies, the planting is chosen site-specifically (depending on sun orientation and height in the building) and serves as a food source for the present animal species. Nesting boxes provide safe shelter for birds and insects. With these interventions, SAWA connects to the existing ecological structures in the city, thereby contributing to an increase in biodiversity.
“We build for the city with a deep appreciation for both the neighborhood and nature. In this spirit, we develop SAWA for and in collaboration with the local community. Through this building, we aim to give back to the city.”
Mark Compeer
Social inclusivity and health
Through the mix of owner-occupied and rental homes (from 50 to 167 m2) SAWA Rotterdam offers space for a diverse community and a reflection of the city. Fifty apartments (approximately half of the total units) are designated for mid-range rental. This makes living in SAWA accessible and affordable for various income groups. Another distinctive element of the SAWA residential concept is the variety of shared functions that relieve residents and actively contribute to the growth of a community. Examples include shared mobility, DIY tools and workspace, and a communal vegetable garden.
The spaces within the building for encounter and connection are conducive to local initiatives and serve the entire neighborhood. This also applies to the hospitality and social facilities in the plinth of the building.
tons of stored CO2
- 2500
nesting boxes for birds and bats
- 140
outdoor space, average, per residence
- 40m²
mid-segment rental residences
- 50%
shared deck with vegetable garden
- 800m²
linear meters of planters
- 600m
plants
- 3000
SAWA is not only a social building but also energy-neutral and the healthiest building in the Netherlands. Although it is an installation-light building, it boasts a healthy indoor climate. The residences are equipped with a CO2-controlled ventilation system. As soon as excessive CO2 2 is measured in the residence, the ventilation system ensures the supply of fresh outdoor air. The district heating is sustainable, and PV panels will be installed on the roofs. The energy generated by the PV panels is used, among other things, for the elevator, lighting in the galleries, and electric cars. Thus, SAWA achieves an EPC of 0: energy-neutral.
SAWA expert team
SAWA is a development by NICE Developers ERA Contour, designed by Mei architects and planners built by ERA Contour.
SAWA was made possible thanks to the support and expertise of the following parties and experts:
Pieters Bouwtechniek – structural engineer
DGMR – Building physics consultant
Aldus Bouwinnovatie – Wood, innovation, and sustainability
Pirmin Jung & Derix Group – Technical wood engineering
Derix Group – Wood supplier
Copijn – Ecology
Bureau Stadsnatuur & Piet Vollaard – Biodiversity
Adviesbureau Hamerlinck – Fire consultant
Maatwerk in Bouwadvies – Construction cost advice
Peutz – Wind impact study
Mei architects and planners, WAX & De Beeldenfabriek – Visualizations
Paris Proof construction?
The answer is NICE
