The 5 Most Optimistic Episodes of Bureau Stoer

This year, Bureau Stoer often focused on the problems facing housing construction projects. But not everything goes wrong—there are many positive developments, and we highlight those as well.

A Second Life for Old Junk

“Old junk? After our treatment, they’re as good as new,” says Rogér Keijsers of Interduct in this episode from VSK+E. They give old ventilation systems a second life. “Because it all still has value, and we just throw it all away. Meanwhile, we have to pay more and more for waste disposal, so you’re also throwing money away.” Plus, it results in significant CO2 savings. In the podcast, Keijsers explains how this circular dream began and how to refurbish old equipment.

How We Can Scale Up Innovation

If the transition is to succeed, the innovations that contribute to it must be able to scale up. Otherwise, it will all remain nothing more than a side issue. In this episode of Bureau Stoer, Jan Willem van de Groep spoke with Rutger Büch, Sjoerd Klijn Velderman, and Marc de Rooy about what that scaling up really requires of us. They explore the tension between innovation and institutionalization, between good intentions and workable structures. How do we actually move forward?

Taking decisive action to get the housing construction machine up and running

“I like the tone of her message, and she’s also focusing on speed,” says an upbeat Nicole Maarsen about the stimulus package from ‘Housing Minister’ Elanor Boekholt ‘O Sullivan’ to get the faltering housing construction machine up and running. Jan Willem van de Groep is also cautiously optimistic: “I think she’s building on everything set in motion by former Minister Hugo de Jonge in a positive way.”

Suppliers Who Go the Extra Mile

Housing prices could drop by about 15 percent if developers, housing associations, and homebuilders ensure a predictable flow of projects. That’s the view of Dorien Staal, director at Dura Vermeer and head of the construction group’s so-called Virtual Factory. This virtual factory is a digital housing production facility. “It’s a platform that allows us to collaborate with partners across the country using a highly automated approach. We order floors, walls, and roofs from various factories, and ultimately assemble everything on the construction site.” For this factory, she is looking for suppliers who are willing to go the extra mile when it comes to sustainability.

We have no choice but to innovate

“Network congestion calls for unorthodox measures, but at the same time it also offers opportunities for Dutch businesses,” says Tom Selten of Zympler in this episode of Bureau Stoer. Helping companies combat network congestion is his core business. And he’s enjoying it more and more. “What I find great about transitions is the point we’ve reached now—namely, that we really have to innovate as a country.” Now that’s a positive outlook!