Nov 16 2006
Hennes de Ridder, professor of Building Processes at TU Delft in the Netherlands, and building innovators PSIBouw will co-present a revolutionary, new working method for the building industry. De Ridder's ‘Living Building Concept’ aims to introduce market processes to the building industry. De Ridder: "This change in the working methods will allow the building industry to return to profitability and be creative, and buildings will be capable of evolving with the changing surroundings and wishes of the users." De Ridder will present the ‘Living Building Concept’ at the Philharmonie in Haarlem, on Thursday, November 16.
The way in which contractors, architects, project developers and clients now work is fragmented. The standard course of action is for a client to hire an architect and go to the contractor with the lowest price offer. De Ridder however proposes that the building industry should adhere to normal market behaviour. "If you buy a car, you don't go to the dealer with a car designer." According to De Ridder, the revolutionary changes he proposes would mean that the architect no longer works for the client, but rather for the supplier. The client chooses from a package of creative, yet standard, building solutions. Included in this is the possibility of signing a contract that requires the building to be routinely altered to satisfy the changing needs and wants of the users. The building thus becomes a living organism. De Ridder: "In this way, the building industry will once again become creative and profitable." De Ridder says his concept represents a major change for contractors. "In the building industry, people are used to working according to requirements rather than wishes." De Ridder and PSIBouw will present their 'Living Building Concept' to the players in the building industry and further develop it by means of scientific research.
De Ridder developed the 'Living Building Concept' in partnership with PSIBouw, an organisation of innovators in the building industry. During the 'Bouwshow' (Building Show) on Thursday 16 November, De Rider will present his concept and the book he wrote about it. The 'Bouwshow' will be held from 15:00 to 18:30 at Haarlem's Philharmonie.