Lunch Lecture Arup

Because the construction sector accounts for approximately 35% of the total waste in the region and one-third of CO2 emissions, Amsterdam has set ambitious goals to achieve emissions neutrality by 2030 and become fully circular by 2050. The city aims to position itself as a key player in sustainable construction innovations. The urban landscape of the city is being reshaped through sustainable building systems, circular design principles, and data-driven strategies, all focused on achieving climate objectives.

One example of such an initiative is the Elements project, a 70-meter residential tower in the Amstel Quarter of Amsterdam, scheduled for completion in 2026. This project highlights Amsterdam's commitment to climate-neutral urban development. The striking hybrid concrete-steel-wood tower focuses on energy efficiency, comfort, and seamless integration of building systems using parametric design and multi-criteria optimization.

In collaboration with developer Kondor Wessels Vastgoed, contractor Kondor Wessels Amsterdam, Koschuch Architects, and Pr8 Architects, Arup developed six key performance indicators (KPIs) for sustainability that formed the foundation of the design process. These KPIs address aspects at the building, neighborhood, and global levels, resulting in a design where sustainability is deeply embedded. This workflow enabled the design team to make well-informed decisions.

This lecture will discuss this design process and the importance of the subsequent steps. After all, how do you turn this into a realistic and buildable building?