Architectuur MAKEN has a mission to work on a future where construction will no longer produce waste. Together with construction partners, they even want to reduce waste.
When architects Ferry and Nina visited the FRONT® (formerly StoneCycling) office in 2014 with the drawings of their dream house at the Gouvernestraat in the city centre of Rotterdam, it was clear that we would be a great match!
Together we began the development of a custom-made WasteBasedBrick that not only matched their preferences but also complemented the overall architecture of the street.
Image credits: Ossip van Duivenbode
In 2016, “De Gouverneur” was constructed on the Gouvernestraat, nestled between existing buildings. Thanks to its height and brick facade, the building blends seamlessly into its surroundings while offering a surprisingly light and spacious interior.
The playful combination of custom-made Caramel Punched and Caramel Sliced WasteBasedBricks gives the facade a distinctive character and visual rhythm.
This design approach reflects Architectuur MAKEN’s core philosophy: celebrating the beauty of sustainability—and the sustainability of beauty—in every project they create.
Though a contemporary addition to the street, the building integrates effortlessly into its surroundings. Its brick facade echoes pre-war and post-war architectural styles, while the wide wooden front door adds a warm, familiar touch.
The project aligns with a municipal policy focused on strengthening existing neighbourhoods by enhancing the urban fabric through thoughtful densification rather than demolition.
On May 21, 2016, The Guardian led with the headline “The Rotterdam couple that will live in a house made from waste”, marking the importance of exploring new ways to go about our planet’s resources.
By choosing WasteBasedBricks in their design, Architectuur MAKEN showed the positive impact FRONT’s high-quality yet aesthetic products can have on architecture.
We wanted to prove that using waste materials for construction does not necessarily mean the building has to look like trash, but that it can be beautiful! Since we did the project in this manner, we have become even more aware of the influence we have on the environment while constructing buildings.
This was a one-off product made specifically for this project. With our Custom Made Service, it's possible to develop your own bespoke brick or brick slip.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter and follow us in our mission to contribute to a more circular world by changing our approach to sustainable building.
By clicking ‘accept’ you agree to the placing of cookies for statistical, functional and marketing purposes.
