The modern, biobased architecture of ORGA

How do we thoughtfully deal with our future? It is a question that occupies architects all over the world, but some go much further than others. We find a very nature-oriented form of architecture in Dutch Nijmegen at ORGA Architect. This firm, started in 2007 by Daan Bruggink, has been inspired by nature from the very beginning and is guided in its designs by biophilic principles and techniques.

The website clearly formulates what it is all about. ORGA Architect, which was started in 2007 by Daan Bruggink, focuses on a single vision: biophilic and biobased construction is the future. We let Daan Bruggink explain in his own words what this looks like in practice and illustrate it with two recent projects in the Netherlands: primary school ‘De Verwondering’ in Almere and ‘Oosterhoutse Baai’ in Nijmegen.

Biobased and biophilic

“The focus in building and renovating homes and businesses today is often on the energy problem. As a result, the overarching problem that our natural resources are in danger of running out in the coming years is only being tackled symptomatically. There are good circular energy sources such as sun, wind and water that we can use even better. It is also important that we switch to building materials that naturally grow back quickly”, Daan Bruggink concisely summarises his vision. “What we are committed to is the creation of modern, circular buildings, made from biobased materials that focus on the bond between people and nature. In the design process, we focus strongly on the natural cycle. Biobased, plant-based materials grow naturally, absorb CO2, are used in a building and can be returned to nature after the building has reached the end of its lifespan. We strive for biobased architecture without ‘virgin’ fossil raw materials or harmful substances and completely supplied by clean fossil-free energy.”

“By biophilic, we mean that our team of architects looks for as much synergy as possible between the architecture, the people and nature in every project. By designing biobased with healthy, natural materials, we create buildings that are natural in their very essence. By integrating biophilic principles, or connections with nature, their effects are enhanced and pleasant and healthy environments are created in which to live and work. Using natural, reusable materials, you not only create beautiful, sustainable buildings, but at the same time you ensure an organic balance in which people, flora and fauna can live and work optimally.”

Green is not always green

In a recently published opinion piece (‘Green architecture costs society much more than it yields'), Daan Bruggink makes it clear that he does not agree with many other architects who also claim to be green. What exactly does he mean by that?

“Take a critical look, for example, at what happens to buildings with trees on the upper floors, such as the Trudo Tower in Eindhoven and Wonderwoods in Utrecht. This tends more towards greenwashing, let alone these should be given a climate award. I have critically calculated how much extra CO2 they emit in order to make greenery at height structurally possible, and it is questionable how ecological it is. If you would like to read my views on the matter, you should take a look at that opinion piece. What is clear to me is that, at the end of the day, green is almost always best when it is ‘down to earth’.”

‘De Verwondering’

When asked to elaborate on an example of ‘down-to-earth’ green, Bruggink is happy to refer to his biophilic school ‘De Verwondering’, which has already won numerous awards, including a ‘Gouden Kikker’ for the most sustainable project in the Netherlands. This primary school aims to bring its users into closer contact with nature through a far-reaching interweaving of the built environment with the landscape.

“In ‘De Verwondering’, children can discover more and more of the outside world from the safety of their classroom in an organically shaped, omnidirectional building. Pupils can experience the city, the weather and a green natural playground of sand, water and trees. An organic bridge, inspired by the shape of the spine and ribs, connects the school to the other side. The idea behind the spatial design, which was conceived in collaboration with architect Evert van Kampen of the company ‘Bladgroen’, is a concept of natural habitats in which animal species coexist and thrive. The school building has 14 classrooms divided over three clusters that are oriented in such a way as to create a large natural space for central communal functions.”

“De Verwondering’ is a hybrid wooden building: the construction is partly CLT, partly timber frame. The materials used for insulation, finishing, floors and furniture are all biobased. The use of natural materials and textures in combination with green walls not only provides visual impressions, but also triggers the sense of touch and smell, creating a multi-sensory experience. This is how we achieve our ultimate goal: teaching a sense of responsibility and respect for the natural world that many adults currently lack.”

‘Oosterhoutse Baai’

This brings the architect to another illustrative, very recent project: ‘Oosterhoutse Baai’. Here, 30 water homes have been positioned in such a way in the bay of Oosterhout, they naturally follow the contours of the shore. Residents and visitors can walk across an access bridge through the shore and aquatic plants to and from their homes, and experience the changing seasons through the fluctuating water level.

“Here too, it's all about bringing people back to nature. You wake up surrounded by water, greenery and birds singing. Out on the terrace you can see the fish swimming in the clear water, so you live in the midst of lush nature, while at the same time being close to the city.”

“In the landscape design, we opted for winding footpaths through the forest and along the banks where the floating homes are located. The clusters of water homes are organically formed by placing the floating homes around a jetty, which is connected to the mainland by an access bridge. These jetties become semi-public gathering places, like a courtyard, but on the water. They form a water court, where people can easily come together. Views from the two bridges and the central landmark with a small hill at its centre offer an inviting panorama across the water.”

“The clusters are divided into three groups, but the houses remain one family in terms of architecture. They all have a natural look due to the extensive use of wood, green structures and other biobased materials. At the same time, a distinction is made between the groups through variations in form, material and colour. Large openings have been left between the groups along the winding shore, creating wide lines of sight from the bridges and the various footpaths around the bay.”