creating and maintaining value

In 2018 humanity used circa 1.7 times more raw materials than the earth produced. De construction and real-estate sector is partially responsible for this excessive consumption of raw materials. Stopping this exhaustion requires drastic changes. Approximately a quarter of the climate footprint of the average Dutch person comes from the construction, use and maintenance of buildings. When looking at the waste production, the construction sector is responsible for 71%.

We continuously speak about sustainability but in fact it is about creating and maintaining value. Without value things become worthless and its preservation is up for discussion. The value is determined by the meaning someone gives at a certain moment to something, which is then translated into euros. Some values are priceless however. What is the worth of a house when health deteriorates and what does happiness mean that cannot be shared with another?

Meaning is relative under influence of a changing perspective in an ever-changing world. The clue is in creating value that is maintained regardless of changes in time and does so without depreciating other values. This guarantees maintaining continuity in the widest sense of the word.

A design that answers a current query and regards changes in time is of permanent value and thus per definition sustainable. The form then follows the value in time.