With an inspiring graduation pitch, Melissa Luwema, former student of architecture at the Vlissingen HZ University of Applied Sciences, manages to convince the audience of the future of biobased construction. Her practical research into sustainable and cost-saving biobased solutions has earned her a regional incentive prize. She graduated this summer – and wants to advise municipalities and agencies about biobased.
The native from Zeeland sees a growing revaluation of natural raw materials such as flax, straw, loam and twigs. “Biobased construction is sustainable and CO2-saving,” she says. According to Melissa, there is actually nothing new under the sun, because the use of natural materials in construction has a long history and is timeless.
COSTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Melissa's graduation project at an architectural firm in Zevenbergen focused on reducing the Environmental Performance of Buildings (MPG) in two apartment projects to be developed, in Strijen and in Oosterhout. “The MPG is a crucial benchmark for sustainable construction,” she explains. “This looks at the shadow costs that a construction project causes on the environment, calculated per square meter over the lifespan of the building.” The lower the MPG, the more sustainable the construction project.
Melissa investigated the applicability of 23 biobased building materials for these projects. Various materials, such as straw bales, wood fibers and paper, have been assessed for their suitability with points ranging from 0 to 5, where 5 means very usable. Ultimately, fifteen suitable biobased raw materials remain. Through a detailed calculation, she was able to demonstrate that this would lead to a reduction in the MPG of 15 cents per square meter on an annual basis for the new construction in Strijen and 22,3 cents in Oosterhout.
FOOTPRINT
During the graduation meeting in Oosterhout, she received the encouragement prize from Bouwteam, where education and business work together. In addition to a check for 150 euros, she also receives appreciation for her research with the prize. The importance of bio-based construction cannot be underestimated, she emphasizes. “By using natural raw materials, we reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a more sustainable society.”
Text and Main photo: Han Verbeem
This is the second article of the summer series 'Beveland Sustainable' van Regional broadcaster De Bevelanden
