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Sustainable Architecture
Except is an architecture and consultancy firm for sustainable architecture, sustainable urban design and sustainable planning & development in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. We work on sustainable design internationally and locally with a wide network of partners. We are a consultancy firm for sustainable building, architecture, densification, and symbiosis between the built environment, nature and urbanization.
Sustainable Urban Design
We design sustainable buildings, passive houses, residences, private houses, ecological designs, insituttional and cultural buildings and architecture. We work with greenhouses, wintergardens, vertical agriculture, zero-energy buildings and zero-carbon architecture. Our work is international in its scope, with projects in the United States, China, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Sweden. We work exclusively on ecological, environmentally sustainable buildings, eco-architecture and green buildings.
Except has developed sustainable architecture, urban design and development since 1999, from a regional to a building scale. We create innovative solutions for private and public clients that set new standards in sustainable development.
We believe it's time for a new kind of development: collaborative, locally empowered, performance-oriented and truly sustainable. A pratice that is oriented towards solutions rather than stacking stones, creating designs that work better for clients,
harnessing the strengths of system-intelligence,
communities, natural systems and IT systems.
Multi-disciplinary
Except’s multi-disciplinary structure allows environmental scientists and engineers to work side by side with designers and planners. This multi-disciplinary perspective gives access to solutions that extend beyond the physical realm, to include software development, environmental engineering, business management strategies and bio-engineering.
From concept to execution
The close collaboration with our clients together with specialist partners during the development process enables Except to work from concept to execution, and ensures efficient design that is entirely customized to its requirements and location.
Except has developed sustainable architecture, urban design and development since 1999, from a regional to a building scale. We create innovative solutions for private and public clients that set new standards in sustainable development.
We believe it's time for a new kind of development: collaborative, locally empowered, performance-oriented and truly sustainable. A pratice that is oriented towards solutions rather than stacking stones, creating designs that work better for clients,
harnessing the strengths of system-intelligence,
communities, natural systems and IT systems.
Multi-disciplinary
Except’s multi-disciplinary structure allows environmental scientists and engineers to work side by side with designers and planners. This multi-disciplinary perspective gives access to solutions that extend beyond the physical realm, to include software development, environmental engineering, business management strategies and bio-engineering.
From concept to execution
The close collaboration with our clients together with specialist partners during the development process enables Except to work from concept to execution, and ensures efficient design that is entirely customized to its requirements and location.
Systems-Thinking
A custom analysis and design system, Symbiosis in Development, enables design solutions that look further ahead than questions of efficiency, and engages economics, social complexity, ecology and the health and happiness of each individual. Not the least of these is the desire to make design that is loved and inspiring.
Integrated Sustainable Design
Using the knowledge and expertise of industrial ecology practices from our sustainability consulting department, Except integrates proper sustainability practices from the start. While developing zero-impact, energy-neutral or energy-producing buildings, Except includes perspectives on the future needs of society and incorporates them into the designs, making for dynamic and flexible solutions.
By organizing and aligning the parties in the construction chain using Integrated Project Methods, the needs of the client can be met and even surpassed. Exceptional results can be obtained though co-operation and proper strategic management. Using knowledge from a wide variety of design tools such as BREEAM, LEED, GreenCalc, Life Cycle Assesment, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) a broad approach is ensured.
Re-Use and Urban Redevelopment
Except strives for inspiring design unique to its place, providing solid functionality while at the same time improving living situations on a city, neighborhood, dwelling, and personal level.
Except adheres to the Trias Architectura, which stipulates re-use wherever possible. Whenever the circumstances allow us, existing buildings and city structures are used as our point of departure. If that’s not an option all care is taken that newly created objects can last as long as possible - technically, economically and culturally. This results in strategies inventing new typologies allowing change of use and program over time, and strategies that allow smart programming whenever the desires of the market, the users, or the client change.
Using a specialized communications department Except can bring project presentations to a new level, and use them as a design tool to constantly test projects in simulations of real-world environments.
Symbiotic Relationships
Within the practice a main goal is to create symbiotic relationships with surrounding forces, and making the most of limited resources. Our work continues a dialogue with the history of art and culture, and instead of developing a signature style, we develop signature solutions.
At Except, we love challenges and complexity, and a constant desire to learn more about the world we live in. We are in a continuing dialogue with developments and designs of the past, as well as theories and philosophies of the present and future, and hope to contribute our part in the best tradition possible.
