Introduction

The Dutch Pilot Project demonstrates how precast concrete elements recovered from an existing building can be given a second life in a new structure. The project combines the deconstruction of the Prinsenhof building in Arnhem with the construction of the new Circular Centre Netherlands (CCN) building in Heerde, using reclaimed precast concrete elements from Prinsenhof.

The Prinsenhof building, with more than 8,000 m² of floor area, was deconstructed in 2022. Its structure consisted mainly of hollow-core slabs spanning between load-bearing precast concrete façade elements.

Some of the recovered hollow-core slabs have already been reused in a sports hall in Arnhem. Most of the remaining hollow-core slabs and all precast concrete façade elements were transported to Lagemaat’s site in Heerde. These elements will become part of the new CCN building, a knowledge centre to promote the circular use of building components.

Before construction of the CCN building, a full-scale mock-up was built to test the proposed construction principles.

Deconstruction and Storage

The precast concrete structure of the Prinsenhof building consisted of hollow-core floor slabs and load-bearing façade elements. Because the elements were connected by wet joints, they could not simply be dismantled. Instead, the connections had to be carefully separated by sawing.

The hollow-core slabs also had an in-situ concrete topping to provide diaphragm action. To recover the individual slabs, the floors therefore had to be sawn along the longitudinal joints between adjacent hollow-core elements.

After the connections had been cut, the elements were lifted from the building and loaded directly onto trucks for transport to Lagemaat’s yard in Heerde.

Design of the CCN building

The CCN building will accommodate several functions. The main part is an eight-storey office and knowledge centre with a square floor plan. A central circulation zone contains the stairwells and lifts, with office spaces situated on either side. Adjacent to the office building, the main entrance provides access to the offices, a conference room and the ‘Lucrato’ workshop.

The structure has been designed by ReCreate partner IMd and is consisting of reclaimed structural elements, such as the load-bearing façade elements and hollow-core slabs recovered from the Prinsenhof building. Before reuse, the elements require some refurbishment. The outer leaves of the façade elements are removed, while the hollow-core slabs are shortened to suit the smaller spans required in the new building.

In September 2026, the municipality of Heerde issued the permit enabling construction of the CCN building to proceed in 2027.

Testing the concept with a full-scale mock-up

Before construction of the CCN building, a full-scale mock-up was built at Lagemaat’s yard. The purpose was to gain practical experience with assembling reclaimed concrete elements, including how to accommodate dimensional tolerances.

The two-storey mock-up combines reclaimed precast façade elements with hollow-core floor slabs, allowing the proposed construction principles to be tested before they are applied to the CCN building.

Check out the YouTube videos showcasing the deconstruction of the Dutch donor building and the investigation of concrete slabs for circular applicability

Dutch Country Cluster Partners