Showcasing the Future of Sustainable Housing with Biobased Materials

In this project, developer Tala constructed 20 flex homes almost entirely from sustainable and biobased materials. One standout feature is the biobased Ventiza air distribution system from Wavin, installed by the company Loohuis Assies. This project highlights the practical and efficient use of biobased materials in housing construction.

Tala is renowned for its sustainable and modular construction methods, producing homes that are 90% biobased. Biobased, also known as "bio-circular," refers to materials derived from biomass like plants, trees, fruits, and grass. These renewable and circular resources contribute to sustainability while maintaining a low environmental footprint. “The Sittard project is an excellent example of how modular, sustainable homes can be realized,” says Chris van Vilsteren of Loohuis Assies, who oversaw the installation of all systems, including ventilation and water pipes.

The strict requirement to use nearly all biobased materials made the choice of products crucial. Chris explains, “Our decision to use Wavin was very deliberate. We needed biobased plastic products compatible with Tala’s circular construction methods, but these are scarce on the market. Wavin was the only company offering a biobased air distribution system: Ventiza Biobased, which is also ISCC-certified. This made it the perfect match for the circular flex homes and for future projects, as clients increasingly demand sustainable solutions.”

In addition to Ventiza Biobased, Loohuis also installed the Wavin Hep2O plumbing system, chosen for its circularity due to its easy disassembly. For the sewage system, highly eco-friendly three-layer PVC pipes with Wavin Recycore® Technology were used.

No Doubts About Biobased Materials

When introducing new materials like biobased Ventiza, questions about their properties and performance can arise. Chris says, “We had no doubts, but we did want to understand how it works. Our materials must be durable and dimensionally stable. Before a project, we create a digital model and prefabricate everything, so what comes out must be exactly right.” To ensure this, Chris and Gert thoroughly discussed everything beforehand. “It turns out that the molecular structure of biobased and oil-based plastics is identical. So the product properties are the same, which is crucial for the precision of prefab constructions.”

Minimizing On-site Work

One of the notable aspects of the Sittard project is the minimal amount of on-site work required. Chris explains, “We design the installations in BIM Revit. We prefabricate some parts in our facility in the city of Zwolle, and Wavin prefabricates others, which are then assembled at our site.” Gert adds, “We have a large prefab factory where we do this daily. We try to relieve the burden, as installers often simply lack enough hands.” Chris continues, “Additionally, materials like saw waste can easily be returned and ground back into raw material, fully in line with our shared sustainability goals.”

Also aligned with the sustainability goals is the design for disassembly, and ease of installation of Wavin’s Hep2O potable water pipes. Chris explains, “Circularity is about reusing products. A house built now should be easy to relocate in five to twenty years. With disassembly construction, the entire house can be taken apart like Lego—even the plumbing. The fittings are even suitable for reuse. In the past, you would solder or press them, making disassembly impossible and disposal the only option. That’s no longer the case.”

Gert adds, “Instead of a press fitting that requires a mechanical tool, the Hep2O system uses a push-fit fitting: you insert the pipe into the fitting—no tools required—and the connection is made. This ease of installation saves a lot of time on-site and contributes to the project’s efficiency. And yes, the system can be reused time and again.”

Impact and Future Collaboration

The Tala project in Sittard lays a strong foundation for future projects. Chris emphasizes, “This project serves as a catalyst for our operations. Everything we learn here is applied across the rest of our organization. Circularity and sustainability play a major role in this. The demand for sustainable solutions from clients is increasing, so this is the future. But the supply of products is still limited; you have to search hard. Now that we’ve found Wavin, we look forward to further collaboration. This is just the beginning of a long-term partnership with the same partners across the entire chain.”