As a combination of knowledge hub, experimental area and working space, Kamp C represents the key embodiment of pioneering and initiative towards sustainable and circular building. It shows how innovative design and collaborative procurement can transform a vision into a reality. This was the main message of the BBWT CoP Circular Construction Study Visit which took place on the 3rd of October in Flanders, Belgium. In line with the objectives of the CoP, the focus of the visit was on innovative procurement practices and how to align public buyers’ needs with market expectations.  

Innovation starts with procurement 

Completed in 2019, Kamp C is considered as the first completely circular office building in Flanders. The three-storey building was entirely built using reusable materials, applications and techniques allowing that it could be disassembled and rebuilt elsewhere. And as the most important for the CoP members – this innovative approach started with procurement. The first step in the procurement process was a series of masterclasses on circular constructions started in 2018, which involved a wide range of stakeholders: architects, engineers, contractors, educators. The objective was twofold: to inspire, inform and offer a platform for networking; and to broadly present the plan and vision of Kamp C, informing participants about the tender and allowing them to build a consortium with other market players. This process ensured that not only would the frontrunners be able to take part in the tender but that smaller companies would be given a proper chance.  

How to bring circularity into procurement tenders 

To ensure circularity in construction projects, many public buyers across Europe have started to include circularity requirements into procurement tenders.  

This was also the case with Kamp C’s procurement tender. In the tender specifications there had been a split between the product (the building) and the process (the way to it, cooperation). While 40% of the award criteria was devoted to circularity, only general categories were indicated in the tender, to stimulate the suppliers to showcase their innovative solutions and ideas, without being limited by the tender requirements.   

There were three main criteria in the selection phase:  

• Creativity: to demonstrate that the consortium can think differently, under the motto “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them”. 
• Integration between design and operation: to present smart design choices, investment budget vs. operational budget.  
• Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: to ensure that the consortium is composed of equal partners open to sharing knowledge both internally and externally. 

The most circular office in Benelux 

During the walking tour through the facility, the Study Visit participants had the opportunity to experience Kamp C as a true living lab. The entire building has been constructed of modular walls, floors, columns and beams. All the materials used are listed in a Building Information Model (BIM) to which the materials passport is directly linked. The cementless foundations were built using URBCON composition, which replaces concrete by using products such as metallic slags and incineration ashes. The insulation layer between the ground and the building is made of seashells. The building also includes a green walls, natural purification system for grey water, and much more.   

By prioritizing creativity, integration, and knowledge sharing, Kamp C project not only met the needs of the Province of Antwerp but has also set a new standard for future developments in the circular construction in the region and beyond. A key takeaway from the study visit is that the most sustainable approach to building can involve repurposing materials and fostering partnerships, ultimately leading to a more resilient and eco-friendly future.  

BBWT CoP Circular Construction: Towards improved circularity in the construction sector  

The CoP Circular Construction is one of ten CoPs established within the BBWT Project. It aims to explore innovative solutions in terms of materials and methods to improve circularity in the construction sector. Lessons learned at the Study Visit will enable participants to apply innovative approaches into their procurement processes, foreseeing circularity in the awarding criteria, while also stimulating market dialogue with suppliers, stimulating creativity and knowledge sharing.  

Interested in discovering more insights into public procurements in Europe? Please register to the Public Buyers Community Platform.  

Interested in joining one of our ten dynamic CoPs? Please contact us via big.buyers@eurocities.eu