Ronald Schleurholts Appointed Professor of Heritage & Design tu delft

As of 1 September, cepezed partner Ronald Schleurholts has been appointed Professor of Heritage & Design at TU Delft. With the climate goals in mind, he advocates for a renewed appreciation of all existing buildings, not just the listed monuments. 'Circular construction can become the norm.'

interaction
When people think of heritage, they often picture monumental buildings, yet most Dutch buildings today are less than fifty years old. According to their owners or investors, these buildings have reached the end of their functional, technical, or financial lifespan. But that does not mean demolition is the only option. In fact, Ronald argues that, in light of the climate targets, these often nondescript buildings should form the basis of our future built environment. 'This is a tremendous challenge, one that cannot be met without creativity and ingenuity. It requires a balance between an analytical approach and interdisciplinary thinking. Through interaction, we develop new knowledge and skills. I look forward to the ideas of students and researchers.'

circular construction
By exploring possibilities and conducting thorough spatial analyses, circular construction can truly become the standard, Ronald believes. The absence of a step-by-step plan or a single solution makes academic (design) research, in his view, especially exciting and relevant. 'It is time to reassess old methods and develop new ones to transform, make more sustainable, or even expand existing buildings. Sometimes, this even means dismantling them to reuse components. When transforming buildings and repurposing construction elements in a new context, it always involves balancing aesthetic, cultural-historical, spatial, functional, technical, social, ecological, and economic considerations. That is what makes this research so fascinating and relevant.'

no more demolition
That students at the Faculty of Architecture do not all become designers, researchers, or architects but branch out into a wide range of roles and organisations, makes perfect sense to Ronald. 'From public authorities to construction companies, everyone should be aware of both the opportunities and the complexities of this new approach, and recognise the necessity of engaging in debate. We are already doing this extensively at cepezed. In the construction sector, there is a surplus of outdated buildings alongside a shortage of housing and other new developments. We must make much greater use of existing buildings and materials. Not destruction, but a renewed appreciation of what already exists. I hope to inspire and challenge the next generation to create a new architectural language together: no more demolition.'

The Heritage & Design department is part of the Heritage & Architecture section within the Faculty of Architecture & the Built Environment.