Dutch Green Building Week will take place this year from Monday 29 September to Friday 3 October. The Construction and Installation Cluster of Jaarbeurs is proud to be a partner of this event, which connects stakeholders and motivates them to help realize a future-proof built environment.

Under the motto #WEETWAAROM (“know why”), the Dutch Green Building Council (DGBC) calls on the construction and real estate sector to hold on to their sustainability ambitions – especially in challenging times. For 15 years, this week has been the platform for inspiration, collaboration, and acceleration in the sustainable transformation of our living environment.

On Tuesday 30 September, DGBC and its partners are hosting an inspiring conference at Jaarbeurs Utrecht (1:30–5:00 PM, followed by a networking reception). The plenary program will feature inspiring contributions from Marjolijn Haasnoot, Professor of Climate Adaptation (Utrecht University), Bas Meijs, Director of Area Development (Municipality of Utrecht), Jessica den Outer, Director, Rights of Nature Foundation, Onno Dwars, CEO Ballast Nedam Development, and Helma Born, Managing Director BPD Netherlands.

The day’s moderator will be Maarten Bouwhuis, (radio) presenter at BNR Nieuwsradio, renowned for his sharp insights and well-timed wit. The program for the parallel sessions is currently under development.

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As an architect, you know that managing issues is inextricably linked to delivering a successful project. Where issue management was once primarily an administrative task, it is now evolving into a strategic instrument that is essential for designing and managing complex construction processes. Advances in digitalisation, data analysis, and integrated workflows offer architects new opportunities to strengthen their role and deliver projects more efficiently and with higher quality.

From Reactive to Proactive: A New Way of Working

The future of issue management lies in proactively leveraging insights from real-time data. Through advanced software solutions, often integrated with BIM platforms, a live overview of all bottlenecks in the design and construction process can be created. This means that issues are no longer addressed only when they occur, but that architects can identify and address risks and problematic patterns at an early stage.

This shift makes it possible to plan and prioritise far more effectively, reducing failure costs and shortening project lead times. It also enables architects to strengthen their advisory role towards clients and construction teams, using concrete data as the basis for well-founded decisions.

Integration and Collaboration: The Power of One Digital Ecosystem

In an increasing number of projects, issue management is being integrated into broader digital workflows. This means it is no longer separate from design, cost estimation, or project management software, but part of a single cohesive ecosystem. As a result, the transfer of information and communication with all disciplines involved becomes seamless and transparent.

For architects, this results in a higher degree of control and oversight, allowing them to respond more quickly to design changes, technical challenges, or execution issues. Collaboration between designers, contractors, suppliers, and clients becomes more efficient and less prone to errors.

Data-Driven Insights as a Competitive Advantage

By collecting and analysing historical issue data, a valuable knowledge base is created. Architects can use this to identify recurring bottlenecks and optimise design choices based on proven lessons from the past. This data-driven approach not only helps improve existing processes, but also fosters innovation and reduces risks.

By incorporating issue management as part of a continuous improvement cycle, architects can enhance the quality and reliability of their designs. This makes them an indispensable partner in a construction process that is becoming increasingly complex and fragmented.

Architects as Orchestrators of the Construction Process

The future demands a shift in the architect’s role: from problem solver to orchestrator of the entire, digitally connected construction process. Issue management thus becomes an essential tool for maintaining control over quality, planning, and costs, while keeping innovation and collaboration at the forefront.

Architects who embrace these developments position themselves as proactive and future-ready partners. They not only create inspiring designs, but also guide the construction process with a sharp focus on risks, quality, and efficiency—contributing to the success of projects that are valuable and sustainable both now and in the future.

Practical Digital Solutions that Enhance Issue Management

In practice, various solutions are already available to help architects take issue management to the next level. For example, Simplebim makes it possible to optimise and structure BIM data, enabling design and construction teams to anticipate technical issues more quickly. By filtering and displaying only relevant information, focus is maintained and problem resolution becomes much more efficient. Pro4all offers integrated tools for document management, quality assurance, and collaboration. With a single central platform for registering, tracking, and archiving issues, the risk of errors is minimised and decisions can be made faster and with stronger justification. Together, these examples show how digital support not only makes the work of architects easier, but also significantly improves the quality and predictability of projects.

Want to learn more about what companies like Simplebim and Pro4all can do for you? Visit DigiBouw 2025 on 19 and 20 November. DigiBouw is the meeting place where everything revolves around smart digital solutions for the construction sector. Gain practical insights from exhibitors, learn from our knowledge partners, and attend knowledge sessions from leading industry speakers. Receive 30% off now by clicking on the link below.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of architectural design, building envelopes are no longer passive shells. Facades today are transforming into responsive systems; complex, high-performance interfaces between interior and exterior environments. As climate change, energy legislation and occupant comfort drive innovation, adaptive facades are emerging as the defining element of next-generation architecture.

What is an adaptive facade?

An adaptive facade (also known as a dynamic or responsive facade)is designed to react in real time to environmental conditions such as solar radiation, wind, temperature and user behavior. These facades are integrated with sensors, actuators and often software systems that allow parts of the facade to modulate (opening, closing, shading, or ventilating) based on internal or external stimuli.

This goes beyond aesthetics. Adaptive systems are fundamentally changing how facades contribute to the energy performance of buildings. By controlling daylight, reducing heat gain and enabling natural ventilation, they reduce reliance on mechanical systems, shrinking the building’s carbon footprint.

Key drivers behind the shift

1. Climate legislation and net zero goals
With the European Union pushing for climate-neutral building stock by 2050, facades must perform beyond insulation. Envelope design now plays a critical role in meeting dynamic thermal comfort, reducing embodied carbon and supporting life-cycle performance.

2. From Building Directive to Enforcement: The EU’s Bigger Picture
The EU isn’t simply mandating more sustainable construction; it is actively transforming the legal and economic landscape through its European Green Deal and Fit for 55 These initiatives are supported by regulatory tools like the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which now calls for nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB) to become the standard, transitioning towards zero-emission buildings (ZEB) post-2030.

Furthermore, mandatory renovation passports, stricter life cycle carbon reporting, and taxonomy-aligned investment requirements are shifting the focus from individual building components to full-system environmental accountability. Adaptive facades are being recognized not just as performance enhancers, but as compliance enablers in a tightening legislative climate.

3. Energy efficiency through smart control
Adaptive facades often integrate with building management systems (BMS). This allows facade systems to respond to real-time data: sun-tracking shading panels, electrochromic glazing or even kinetic elements that move according to seasonal changes.

4. User-centric comfort
Beyond technical performance, there’s a growing emphasis on occupant well-being. Facades that balance views, daylight, ventilation and acoustic control enhance user experience, productivity and satisfaction, especially in high-density urban environments.

5. Material innovation and integration
Emerging materials such as phase change materials (PCMs), switchable membranes, and bio-reactive panels are expanding the possibilities of what a facade can do. Additive manufacturing and prefabricated facade modules further streamline construction and customization.

6. Data-driven design and simulation
Tools like parametric modeling and AI-driven simulations now allow architects and facade engineers to test thousands of performance scenarios before construction begins. This shift enables a more collaborative and iterative design process, merging form, function and environmental logic.

Challenges to overcome

Despite the promise, adaptive facades are still relatively rare outside flagship or institutional buildings. Key challenges include:

• High initial investment and complex ROI models
• Integration complexity across disciplines (MEP, structural, facade)
• Maintenance and reliability of moving parts over time
• Regulatory frameworks that lag behind innovation

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, we can expect adaptive facade technology to move from niche to norm. Particularly as material costs drop and digital design tools become more accessible. The future lies in modular: self-learning facades that autonomously optimize building performance.

Architects today are not just designing for static climates; they are preparing buildings for dynamic environments. The facade, more than any other building system, sits at the intersection of this transformation.

Want to stay updated on the latest news about facade innovations and Future Facade 2025?

The pavilion SOMBRA is in Venice, where it is part of the Time Space Existence exhibition during the Biennale Architettura 2025, from May 10^th  until November 23^rd. But we are happy to give the visitors of Future Façade a preview of the project and its innovative technology. SOMBRA is a statement, the product of a collaboration of creative and ambitious minds. SOMBRA is a living and breathing object that reacts to the sun – closing during the day and opening up again at night – without the use of electricity or solar panels. SOMBRA is powered by air.

Initiated by Metadecor and Airshade Technologies, the SOMBRA project is a collaboration between leading experts: MVRDV (architecture), Alumet (anodizing), Van Rossum Engineers (structure), ARUP (mechanical engineering and sunlight studies), Kersten (bending), and AMOLF Institute (actuation). During Future Façade, the partners in SOMBRA will give a joint presentation each day, in Theatre 2 at 14:15 hrs. A small mock-up of the pavilion is part of the Maze of Innovations.

The sun – a blessing and a curse

Architecture begins with the sun. It is a constant, shaping how we live, move, and design. SOMBRA explores how the light of the sun – and its absence (shade) – defines space and how architecture can respond dynamically to these conditions.

The sun is essential, yet unforgiving. It brings light and warmth, but when intense and oppressive, it renders spaces uninhabitable. With rising temperatures and climate change, shading is no longer a secondary concern—it is a necessity to create occupiable urban spaces. The traditional solution has been to shut the sun out completely, enclosing buildings as sealed, air-conditioned boxes. But this approach is flawed, consuming more energy than it saves and enforcing spatial boundaries between indoors and outdoors.

Dynamic shading

SOMBRA introduces dynamic shading—a living, breathing system that adapts to the sun. Air-powered and non-electric, it is a zero-emission approach to controlling light, heat, and ventilation. The pavilion’s skin, developed with Airshade Technologies and using soft robotics technology, consists of moveable aluminium elements that filter sunlight, creating an ever-changing pattern of shadow and light.

SOMBRA provides shelter and protection, but also interacts with the sun, breathing with heat and air. In deference to the powerful presence of the sun, its form follows the solar path at 35°12.6′N 24°54.6′E, a point between Venice and Dubai. Angled south, it relies on sunlight to function. It is not just a shelter but a performance—an architectural experiment in dynamic shading.

An architectural tool

Shading is more than a functional necessity; it is an architectural tool. It sculpts spaces, plays with perception, and introduces movement. Light filtered through intricate patterns adds depth and character to surfaces. It can be fixed, or it can respond.

Architecture today must go beyond aesthetics and function and strive to both reduce the environmental impact of building construction and operation and align itself with natural systems.

Sensible use of materials

SOMBRA is a case study in responsible material use and intelligent design that does just this. Its aluminium structure incorporates redundant materials, reducing waste. The skin comprises high-recycled-content aluminium, though challenges persist in this material’s procurement—limited availability, high costs, and long lead times. These issues highlight the urgent need for a more circular building economy.

The anodized finish in AluBronze balances efficiency and aesthetics. Darker tones enhance Airshade’s performance, while the lighter finish optimizes solar reflection. The result is a durable, highly resistant surface with a 40-year lifespan, achieved without adding additional material layers.

A manifesto – a challenge

SOMBRA is a manifesto. It challenges architects, engineers, and designers alike to rethink shading, material use, and energy efficiency while showcasing how façades can be not only multifunctional but also responsive, and beautiful.

SOMBRA is part of the Time Space Existence exhibition in the Marinaressa Gardens in Venice, during the Biennale Architettura 2025 (May 10 – November 23, 2025).

At the Future Facade event, Sempergreen will be showcasing their products in Hall 9, booth A016. The company will, of course, bring several planted panels to Future Facade so that visitors can get a sense of what a green facade looks like, feels like, and even smells like. “People are always impressed.”

“Contractors used to be very hesitant to work with living materials,” says Paul Hakkenberg of Sempergreen. “We experienced that firsthand when we started thirty years ago. And then the system involved water too—generally a big no-no for them, as they were afraid it would cause leaks. But over the years, our system has proven itself, and the construction industry now sees things very differently. Green facades help combat urban heat stress and have a positive impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. On top of that, our system can serve as an exterior shell, which helps reduce costs. All major advantages.”

Rock Wool
The green facades Sempergreen creates all over the world are based on a panel system in which plants grow on rock wool. “So no soil or substrate,” Hakkenberg explains, “but rock wool, because it allows plants to root firmly and securely. A strong root system means that hardly any plants need to be replaced. That’s a big plus, since you’d need scaffolding or a lift to do so. The less maintenance required, the better. Above each row of panels, we install a drip line for irrigation and liquid fertilization. Inside the panels, there’s a capillary mat that allows water and nutrients to gradually trickle down and spread evenly. This modular system gives us great flexibility. We can go around corners, create curves—basically follow the lines and contours of any building. It leads to beautiful results. In the thirty years we’ve been doing this, we’ve completed countless projects. And every single one is unique.”

Circular by Design
Hakkenberg is looking forward to making new connections at the trade fair. “We love working with architects because they shape the appearance of buildings. It’s important to understand what’s possible and where the real benefits of a green facade lie. For instance, they significantly contribute to sound reduction in urban environments. Using our panels can even help a project meet noise regulation requirements and obtain the necessary permits. Based on testing, our SemperGreenwall Indoor absorbs 85% of ambient noise when used as an interior wall. Our system also scores well in terms of circularity. We have a Cradle to Cradle certification, which fits within frameworks like BREEAM-NL. We use a lot of recycled materials: the capillary mat, for example, is made from recycled clothing; our aluminum is at least 75% recycled; and we use organic fertilizers. Not everything can be circular, but we’re doing our best and making great progress.”

Biodiversity
Hakkenberg is excited to present the Sempergreen system at Future Facade. “It truly is a win-win on many fronts. Rock wool is lightweight and very durable—our oldest facade is twenty years old and still looks great—and as mentioned, it has the added benefit of sound absorption. Plus, the greenery lost during new construction (like meadows or fallow land) is restored vertically. That can help sway permit authorities too. Just like the fact that 200 m² of green facade provides the same oxygen output and CO₂ absorption as eighteen mature trees. It also boosts biodiversity and—did I mention the aesthetic appeal? It simply looks amazing.”

Info and Tickets
Visit Future Facade on May 7 and 8 at the Royal Jaarbeurs in Utrecht and meet Sempergreen in Hall 9, booth A016.

Only 14 days to go until Future Facade opens its doors. This international event, organized in collaboration with TU Delft, TU Darmstadt, and the European Facade Network, is packed with innovations, developments, and thought-provoking knowledge sessions led by a range of international speakers. Future Facade takes place on May 7 and 8 at Jaarbeurs Utrecht.

Success Factors for International Facade Design
This is a must-attend talk show hosted by VMRG on Wednesday, May 7 from 2:00 – 3:30 PM.

Henk Zoontjens, Director of VMRG, will host the session and engage in conversation with four experts:

• Andre Jansen, Senior Account Manager at Solarlux, will address international facade regulations. Drawing from experience, he emphasizes that creating space in densely populated areas requires smart solutions that meet strict standards—such as controlling noise pollution. Effective facade design is crucial for maintaining a pleasant and healthy living environment. Jansen will explain how Solarlux navigates various European standards and regulations.

• Melissa Campos, Engineer for Sustainable Innovations at Aldowa: “Energy-saving facades are the future.” Aldowa has developed a heat-generating facade system that efficiently heats or cools buildings. Campos will explain how this technology works and showcase the model during Future Facade.

• Remco Baartmans, CEO of Alumet, will demonstrate the beauty and endless potential of aluminum facades. He will show how unique textures, surfaces, and colors are turning buildings into international icons of modern architecture.

• Stephen Tanno, Director of Pre-Construction Services at Schüco International, will present a new approach to working with cross-border project teams. He will discuss how early integration of expertise during the design phase—such as in the Landspítali project in Reykjavik—helps define design requirements more precisely, saving both time and costs.

This talk show, along with dozens of other inspiring knowledge sessions, can be found in the program at www.future-facade.com.

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Maze of Innovations… Simply Amazing
Future Facade 2025 features an exclusive and exciting exhibition called the “Maze of Innovations.” This green labyrinth, nearly 600 m² in size, showcases impressive and innovative mock-ups, facade elements, and research projects from key suppliers, universities, and facade builders. These innovations are presented in various formats and center around themes such as:

• Curved facade elements

• Transparency

• Bio-based and biodegradable facades

• Adaptive facades

• Technical ingenuity in facade design

In collaboration with the Future Facade Advisory Board, Jaarbeurs and its partners have selected 20 to 25 of the most exciting and cutting-edge developments to be presented in this exhibition space.

Want to join the conversation? Come to Future Facade 2025.

Future Facade
Where: Jaarbeurs Utrecht
When: May 7 and 8, 2025

At the first edition of Future Facade, taking place on May 7 and 8 at the Jaarbeurs Utrecht, architects, engineers, facade builders, and suppliers will gather to be updated on the latest developments in facade technology. Leading academics from TU Delft and TU Darmstadt, in collaboration with the European Facade Network, will present an impressive international program focused on themes such as circularity, new business models, and the future of facade technology.

Visitors to Future Facade can look forward to more than 50 knowledge sessions on the Mainstage, as well as in the Schüco Theater and VMRG Theater. In total, over 40 specialists will share insights on topics that are shaping the facade industry.

Lisa Rammig, Director at Eckersley O’Callaghan, will take the Mainstage on May 8 at 11:30 AM with a keynote, moderated by Marcel Bilow from the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at TU Delft. She will discuss how the world of facades is being shaped from an educational perspective. How do we ensure that today’s knowledge reaches the minds of tomorrow’s talented architects? And what impact will this have on how we design and conceptualize facades over the next twenty years?

Lucio Blandini, Partner at Werner Sobek and Professor/Director of ILEK – University of Stuttgart, will deliver his keynote on May 8 at 9:30 AM on the Mainstage. He will address the development of adaptive facade elements currently being tested for future use. As our societal needs and desires evolve, so do the demands on our built environment. The design of future facades must become increasingly adaptive to these changing needs.

Martin Haas, Director of Studio2050, will be on the Mainstage on May 8 at 3:15 PM. He will discuss the fine line between building operation and sustainability. Where should our priorities lie? Should we aim for the ‘intelligent’ use of carefully selected materials to avoid technical solutions, or should we prioritize operational performance and reduce sustainability to efficient system technology?

Want to join the conversation? Come to Future Facade 2025.

Future Facade
Where: Jaarbeurs Utrecht
When: May 7 and 8, 2025

At Future Facade 2025, Sempergreen will present its vision for the facade of the future: a smart, green facade that effortlessly combines aesthetics with ecological value. Visitors to stand A016 can discover how a SemperGreenwall not only enhances a building’s appearance, but also contributes to biodiversity and climate adaptation.

“We’re seeing a growing global demand for sustainable solutions to urban challenges,” says Henriëtte Vink, CEO of Sempergreen. “A green facade is more than just a visual feature – it’s a functional part of the building, helping to reduce heat stress, noise and water overload, and filter fine dust from the air.”

As one of the largest players in the global ‘green building’ market, Sempergreen has been active internationally for over 25 years. From Amsterdam to Vienna, more and more cities are embracing vertical greenery as an integral part of sustainable urban design.

“Through our participation in Future Facade, we want to inspire professionals to look at facades differently,” Vink continues. “The facade offers room for both innovation and nature. We’re excited to show how technology and greenery can strengthen each other.”

A SemperGreenwall features an integrated irrigation system and is planted with carefully curated plant assortments, tailored to the orientation of the facade. There are plant mixes for both sunny and shaded conditions.

Visitors are welcome on 7 and 8 May at Jaarbeurs Utrecht to explore successful green facade projects. There will also be opportunities to speak with Sempergreen facade experts and exchange ideas.

Alu-Max, a specialist in aluminium façade systems, is participating in Future Facade 2025 to showcase its latest innovations in aluminium doors, sliding walls, window frames and architectural facade cladding. The Eindhoven-based company stands out for its smart production, tailor-made solutions and flexible designs — suitable for both residential and commercial projects.

“Our strength lies in the perfect balance between design freedom and technical precision,” says owner Ibrahim Aydin. “Architects and developers increasingly want to combine aesthetics with functionality. With our in-house production, we can translate these ambitions into high-quality solutions — from sleek sliding systems to modern cladding that enhances both form and function.”

In recent years, Alu-Max has experienced strong growth — not only in the Netherlands, but also internationally. The company builds close partnerships with façade builders, architects and installers to ensure seamless integration into building designs.

“We don’t just deliver a product,” Ibrahim explains. “We actively think along in the design phase, contribute technical know-how, and help realise the architectural vision down to the smallest detail.”

Visitors to Future Facade 2025 can expect a fresh perspective on aluminium façades, where durability, aesthetics and innovation go hand in hand. Alu-Max sees the event as the ideal platform to share expertise and strengthen professional relationships across the façade industry.

Rebrick aims to supply the Netherlands with second-hand facade bricks. “A lot of those bricks were probably once sold by my grandfather.”

When Bob Floris was twelve years old, he was already working on reuse. As a boy, he stacked old paving stones on pallets for the family business Bouwcenter Floris. With paving stones, that’s relatively easy, he says now. With facade bricks, it’s different. They are fixed with mortar, and it takes quite a bit of processing to get them clean.

Nevertheless, Bob Floris is now going to do this on a large scale. With Rebrick, he handles the sale of second-hand facade bricks from four Bouwcenters spread across the Netherlands. He aims for 20 million reused bricks per year by 2030.

It all started with an assignment for the housing corporation Eigen Haard, which wanted to reuse toilet bowls and sinks.

This gave Floris an even better idea. If they really wanted to make a difference, they should do the same trick with other building materials. “With a really big component in construction,” says Floris. This led them to contact Klinker Historika. The German company has been ‘harvesting’ facade bricks from demolitions for eight years in Germany and three years in the Netherlands.

Bouwcenter Floris had research done that showed about 150 million bricks can be harvested annually in the Netherlands. That’s a fraction of the 600 million to a billion bricks that Bouwcenters sell annually. However, Floris couldn’t deliver them haphazardly across the Netherlands.

Therefore, he started Rebrick at the beginning of 2024, with four different Bouwcenters across the Netherlands as owners. The demand for reused facade bricks is already very high, says Floris. Rebrick has between 1.2 and 2 million bricks in stock. They have roughly the same color and size, but there is no guarantee. “Bricks we have now may be sold out later. So it’s better to buy what you want right away.”

Builders need not worry about the quality of reused bricks, assures Floris. “Bricks can become very old. Most harvested bricks are post-war. There may be a dent or some edges missing, but that gives the brick extra character. There is also more life in the color variation.

That makes it a beautiful, unique product that is also good for the environment.

Bouwcenter Esselink
Bouwcenter van Hoppe & Swinkels
Bouwcenter Concordia