Together for circular
interiors of tomorrow

Ideally, we join the 'circular' team: architect, client, contractor, and interior builder work together on one project, rather than you as the architect delivering the design and the execution being tendered separately. In practice, this means we brainstorm on concepts, materials, and circular alternatives, and translate that into a Bill of Materials and a concrete budget and timeline. Where necessary, we create prototypes or mock-ups so that you and your client have a clear picture of the end result early on. You will have one fixed point of contact at Zwartwoud throughout the entire process, who thinks along with you from the first sketch to installation. This way, you aren't working with an executor who only appears once the design is set, but with a partner who considers what is feasible, affordable, and circular from the very beginning.

The sooner, the better. We prefer to get involved as soon as the concept takes shape, during the initial design or the Program of Requirements phase. At that stage, we can truly contribute to material-independent solutions, circular alternatives, and feasibility within budget before choices are finalized. This is also the moment we prefer to join the construction team, alongside the client, contractor, and interior builder, ensuring that a beautifully designed concept doesn't run into production or planning issues later on. Joining later in the process? We are happy to help then too, although the room to maneuver regarding material choices and approach is often more limited. We achieve the greatest gains, both in terms of sustainability and costs, simply by being part of the construction team from the concept phase.

Not necessarily. Circular materials and reuse can be more expensive in some areas, but they often yield savings at the project level—for example, by reusing existing furniture or materials from the client instead of replacing them. For the Aegon project in The Hague, for instance, 100% of the partition wall profiles were reused, and 3.7 kilometers of furniture panels were reupholstered. What exactly determines the business case is project-specific: scale, material choices, and the degree of reuse all play a role. We think along with you from the start so that circularity and budget don't have to be at odds.

That varies significantly per project. The lead time depends on the scale, the number of supply chain partners, and the extent to which circular materials need to be processed or sourced. What we can say is: the sooner we work together as a team, the more predictable the planning becomes. Our project teams monitor the schedule and budget throughout the entire process and identify bottlenecks early on, so you as an architect won't face any surprises. Discuss your project with us, and we will provide a realistic, tailored estimate.

No. We work with two types of architects: those who have already fully embraced circular principles, and those who are encountering them through their clients but haven't worked with them before. Both are welcome. What we ask for is curiosity and an openness to exploring new ways of working. We provide the circular expertise and technical documentation (material passports, CO2 footprints, Bills of Materials). This way, you don't have to be an expert yourself to create a strong circular design together.

Yes. We have experience with large-scale interior projects for enterprise clients such as ABN Amro, Aegon, and the Dutch Gasunie. Thanks to our material-independent network of specialized partners and our own production facilities, we can scale up without compromising on a project's circular approach or bespoke character. Our project teams take full control of the process: from planning and logistics to execution, ensuring that even complex, multi-layered projects remain manageable.