Last week the foundation stone was laid for Eosta's new business premises in Waddinxveen. Not just a stone, but a real dodecahedron. This twelve-sided steel object symbolises the company's core values: authenticity, responsibility and cooperation. Winged words and the rhythmic beating of kettledrums, in the middle of a colourful circle, provided a sense of togetherness. The laying of the first stone was rich in symbolism.
The building is more than just an economic object. It must become a forerunner for the new circular economy. "The company's kitchen is being fitted with recycled materials", says Director Volkert Engelsman. "And the ovens are being built into a wall constructed with concrete manufactured from discarded toilets bowls." This circular approach is not only reflected in the use of materials, but also in the design of the new business premises. In the heart of the building is a large atrium. All the offices lead to this. It serves as a central meeting point.
"Our business premises are in essentially a temporary raw materials depot. It is not a final product, or a depreciation entry in an economic balance sheet. The modular building can be completely dismantled and reassembled. It can, therefore, be used for other purposes. We see ourselves as its temporary custodians. The Sioux Indians were an inspiration. They realised that you cannot own the earth, wind and resources; you only borrow them", Volkert explained.
This circular principle is most obvious in the lighting plan. Eosta will buy light hours, not lights. It is a system that was developed by Philips Lighting. The circular approach encouraged Philips to make more materials reusable and replaceable. Since Philips, themselves, will be paying the energy bill, it gave the company the economic incentive to make lights as energy-efficient as possible; and to remain innovative.
It requires contractors and construction companies to be creative. "You need to move away from the linear 1.0 way of thinking. The destructive way that leads to the rubbish dump. Eosta is glad to move away from the old economy. Sometimes you have to compromise. Not every idea is feasible, but we are always following the vision. We have tried to represent that in the foundation stone."
The 19 500 m2 building will be delivered in mid-2018.
For more information:
www.eosta.nl
www.natureandmore.com