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The road to Paris goals: 'Topping up' with locally available bio-based materials
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Netherlands
The road to Paris goals: 'Topping up' with locally available bio-based materials
25 March 2025
Frank Vahstal's project explores using bio-based materials to sustainably add floors to existing buildings, aiming to reduce environmental impact and help meet the Paris climate goals through local collaboration and innovative construction methods.
Editorial Team
Frank Vahstal's graduation project, '100,000 Biobased Top-Ups', explores sustainable methods for expanding housing by adding extra floors to existing buildings using bio-based materials.
This approach, known as ‘topping up’, reduces land use and avoids new foundations, offering environmental benefits. Vahstal examined seven bio-based materials (e.g., wood, hemp, straw) and found that while they have a lower climate footprint, their environmental benefits are limited by production distances.
His strategy aims to build 100,000 homes in the Netherlands using locally grown materials. He advocates for collaboration among farmers, processors, and construction companies to scale this approach and meet Paris climate goals.
