Dezeen · Creativity & design

Museum Vonk: A Bio-Based Construction Testbed

Museum Vonk in Eindhoven, Netherlands, utilizes a palette of biomaterials, including reclaimed cross-laminated timber (CLT) and hempcrete facades, serving as a testing ground for affordable bio-based construction.

The wedge-shaped museum, designed by Studio Marco Vermeulen, incorporates reclaimed CLT salvaged from a previous pavilion and hempcrete walls finished with pigmented lime plaster. This approach honors the historical artisanal building methods of the adjacent Prehistoric Village museum while employing modern techniques.

A key challenge involved working with the reclaimed CLT, as contractors were initially hesitant. The timber required factory inspection before being successfully reused in the museum's structure, with its weathered characteristics celebrated as unique surface finishes.

The museum features a "making shed" where visitors can create objects related to Eindhoven's history, which then become part of the museum's displays. This workshop space connects to a restaurant, offices, a conference room, and a shop.

The building's design includes an accessible green rooftop and nesting spots for birds and bats integrated into the hempcrete facade. Recycled asphalt from the former driving track was used in the foundations, and a rainwater collection system supports the green roof.

Passive cooling is achieved through large ventilation hatches, with mechanical systems providing heating and cooling when needed. Studio Marco Vermeulen aims for the project to inspire and demonstrate the feasibility of bio-based, circular, and nature-inclusive construction within budget constraints.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.