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The Place To Be
Zelhem

For retreat centre The Place to Be in Zelhem, architectural collective Overtreders W realised two accommodation buildings and a dining hall, entirely constructed from biobased materials. The façades are clad with reused Platowood Fraké slats, sourced from a residual stream within Platowood’s production process. On the site of a dilapidated cubicle barn, a new ensemble emerged in which circularity, local material use and contemporary architecture come together. The three buildings follow the footprint of the original barn and together form a playful composition overlooking the Achterhoek landscape.

“We wanted to show that building entirely locally and with biobased materials is not only possible and feasible, but can also be beautiful and integrated into the rural landscape in a contemporary way.” Overtreders W

Voor de gevels werden 14.500 Fraké-latten toegepast die normaal gesproken gebruikt worden als afstandhouders tijdens het platoniseren van hout in de ovens van Platowood. Via Stadsmijn Achterhoek kregen deze latten een tweede leven als circulaire gevelbekleding. Het resultaat is een verfijnd gevelbeeld met een natuurlijke uitstraling dat perfect aansluit bij de omgeving.

For the façades, 14,500 Fraké battens were used that normally serve as spacers during the platonising of wood in Platowood’s ovens. Through Stadsmijn Achterhoek, these battens were given a second life as circular façade cladding. The result is a refined façade with a natural appearance that blends perfectly with its surroundings.

In addition to the reused Fraké façades, the project consists almost entirely of regional and biobased materials. Locally harvested Douglas fir from Staatsbosbeheer’s Slangenburg estate was also used. Almost 15,000 kilograms of straw and miscanthus, grown by a collective of farmers from the Achterhoek region, were used to insulate the floors, roofs and walls. The project demonstrates what a fully regional and circular construction chain can look like.

Architectural design studio Overtreders W, founded by Hester van Dijk and Reinder Bakker, is known for its experimental and poetic approach to circular construction. Through projects such as The Place to Be, the studio demonstrates that sustainable construction is not only responsible and achievable, but can also have a strong aesthetic quality.

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