Attention to quality, livability and sustainability

The winners of the VKG Architecture Prize 2023

The VKG Architecture Award celebrates progressive building projects in which aesthetics, function and sustainability come together and in which plastic window frames are part of the architecture of today and tomorrow. During the Circular Design seminar in December 2023 at the Metaal Kathedraal in Utrecht, the winners of the 13th edition of the VKG Architecture Award were announced. The jury was unanimous, in both categories.

Circular renovation

Post-war porch and gallery flats are a major challenge for the industry. In order to achieve an affordable CO2-neutral and ultimately natural gas-free housing portfolio, more than 800,000 outdated flats must be energetically preserved and improved in the coming years. The gallery flat on the Rudolf Garrelstraat in Wheermolen-Oost (Purmerend) of housing corporation Intermaris is a recognizable reference for this. Commissioned by Hemubo, DOOR architects made the design for the renovation, with circular profiles from Kömmerling and window frames from Schipper frames.

"In the tender for the Rudolf Garrelstraat, circular renovation was the starting point," explains architect Karin Dorrepaal. "This focused in particular on low-maintenance materials, low life-cycle costs and materials that can be sustainably replaced in the future and reused in a closed cycle. In our experience, however, circular renovation is not only about the future, but also about the past. The use of raw materials already present in the chain makes an important contribution to this." The raw materials for the frame profiles come from old plastic window frames, which are recycled equally. "A proCoverTec coating here provides a beautiful finishing touch, excellent UV resistance and a long service life that is not inferior to new window frames."

Aesthetic and durable

According to the jury, DOOR architects handled the design brief carefully. "This is a very good example of how renovation can be aesthetic as well as sustainable. Profiles made of 100% recycled plastic may become the benchmark." 

Judges also praised the color choices and processing of the window frames. In addition, the project received points for improved livability. "The introduction of different glass and bar fenestration and the well thought out framework division give the rational and mastodon building design a human scale," Dorrepaal says. "Thanks to high-quality insulation materials, the thermal and acoustic climate in the homes is also improved." At ground level, the old garage boxes have given way to apartments with a small front garden. This increases social safety and is an inventive solution that inspires.

The gallery apartment on Rudolf Garrelstraat by DOOR architects won in the Renovation category. The prize in the New Construction category went to De Eenhoorn by Heren 5.

Inspiration for the entire construction industry

In Watergraafsmeer (Amsterdam), on the site of 124 outdated duplex houses, as many as 330 compact town houses have risen between 2019 and 2021. This represents a welcome and contemporary densification. The sustainable, comfortable and compact homes for singles, couples, families and seniors are housed in four closed building blocks, two of which were designed by architectural firm Heren 5. At the request of housing corporation Ymere, the project was taken up as a pilot for collectivity and meeting, with residents sharing amenities such as a common lobby, courtyard garden and laundry room. "The use of profiles from Gealan and window frames from Transcarbo deserves a beauty prize, or in this case an architecture prize," the jury said.

"In the compact homes, sense of space plays an essential role," says architect Marilu de Bies. "To increase living comfort, maximum attention has been paid to light and visibility. Private balconies with vertical bar railings and large, French doors make an important contribution to this, which also applies to the carefully placed windows. Residents can look out from their couches very fine and far." A flat, contemporary window frame profile and the ton-sur-ton combination of a gold-colored coating and yellow facade brick enhance the architecture.

Flavorful application

"The frame is tastefully applied as total facade detailing. It has been incorporated into the masonry as a matter of course. And with the right colors. Here the choice was also made to continue the colors of the window frames in the balustrades. A lot is already happening with this type of building, so it is good to use a monotone color scheme." The project also gets plus points for social cohesion. "In the housing challenges that are out there, this is a nice fitting concept and an inspiration for the entire building world."

Second and third places

This year's VKG Architecture Prize jury consisted of former winners and architects Arthur Nuss (Global Architects) and Arno Kolen (van den hout & kolen architects) and sustainability expert Mantijn van Leeuwen (Nibe), supported by plastic frame expert and VKG director Albert Zegelaar. In addition to the winning projects, second and third places were also awarded in both categories. In the Renovation category, second place went to the Former Church of Peace in Tilburg, while Villa Velsen-Zuid received a nice third place. The podium spots in the New Construction category were filled by Nieuw Trebol in Harlingen and Klein Geluk Veldhuis in Apeldoorn, respectively.