Held on 2 June 2025, the workshop focused on a tangible example of circular construction: Garage Meijersplein—a project where the building’s façade and parts of the interior are being constructed using sorted and processed reclaimed wood from buildings in Rotterdam. This initiative not only highlights the potential of urban wood reuse, but also drives regional demand for second-hand materials, setting a strong precedent for similar efforts.
This was the second in a series of Woodcircles workshops in the city of Rotterdam. Following the first session in December 2024, which focused on identifying key stakeholders and challenges, the June workshop shifted toward a more practical discussion: mapping the journey of reclaimed wood—from the moment it becomes available (e.g. through demolition), through local sawmills, to its reuse by architects, designers, and builders.
The workshop took place in a hybrid format at BlueCity (010) in Rotterdam, allowing both in-person and online participants to engage actively. Presentations were delivered by representatives from Urbasofia, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS), and the City of Rotterdam. The sessions sparked lively discussions on how to address key barriers—logistical, regulatory, and design-related—in establishing a robust local and regional wood value chain. Participants explored the entire lifecycle of reclaimed wood, from deconstruction and sorting to reuse, storage, certification, and final application in new construction and design projects.
