Circular accommodations 'Dike suites'
What is the pilot about?
In cooperation with the Circular Support Team, Camping and villa park the Paardekreek defines, designs and creates a circular tourist accommodation that will serve as a model for a new type of accommodation. Guests are constantly looking for new accommodations and new experiences, therefore the Paardekreek wants to meet this need by building circular accommodations. By meeting this needs this project partner hopes to meet the currently changing market in tourist accommodations. Circularity assumes that today's products are the raw materials for later: after use, products can be disassembled and the materials reused. It contrasts with the current approach in which we keep purchasing, using and throwing away new products. This disposable and replacement culture has an enormous impact on the planet, while circularity is based on a world without waste. Benefits include: if the accommodation is rebuilt in ten years’ time, the materials can be reused so no new sources are required and also if the accommodation does not meet the requirements of tourists anymore over time, the accommodation can be disassembled and the materials can be reused.
The new type of accommodations that is built by camping and villa park the Paardekreek is called Dikesuites. This brand-new residence is circular, energy efficient and has no gas connection, heating and cooking are done with electricity. To save energy, high-quality natural insulation and triple insulated glass are used. The accommodations will literally be built in a dike. The dike in which the Paardekreek is going to realize the new accommodations is land that was left after the villa park was built in 2005. The excavation of a creek left this land which is now being used again. By building these accommodations in a circular manner, the Paardekreek hopes to be an example for other recreation entrepreneurs to have suitable accommodation for the permanently changing wishes of the guest.
The Paardekreek will build these accommodations in a circular manner with a construction team from various local companies. The construction team is composed of companies that are interested in circular construction and actively contribute ideas. The construction of the dike suites was completed in July 2021. Read more in the timeline below.
Timeline:
| September 2021: The dike is turning green!
Van de Velde green care has started sowing the dike where the Zeeland dike suites are located. This is done by means of hydroseeding (a mixture of water, seed, fertilizer, glue and a carrier). A sustainable way of sowing! For now the dike is literally green, but in a while beautiful green grass with a cheerful mixture of flowers will grow here.
| September 2021: Guest reviews
After the construction of the dike suites has been completed, the first guests were welcomed in the accommodation on 15 July 2021. Several guests have already been able to use the accommodations The first comments from guests:
‘Excellent stay in the dike suites. Felt luxurious! Furthermore, good food in the restaurant. Enjoyed it!’
‘We had a great week in the new location of the dike suites. Great beds actually everything you need is there. Friendly reception'.
| July 2021: Opening of the dike suites
On Thursday the 15th of july the Zeeland Dijksuites were festively opened. De Paardekreek is looking forward to the first guests who can stay in the accommodations!
| July 2021: The construction of the dike suites has been completed!
The construction of the dike suites has been completed. The opening of the accommodations will take place later this month. Read here the review of the project of owners Arjen Brinkman and Marijke Brinkman:
The planning of the project was sometimes challenging due to the variety of partners and the circumstances on the building site. The accommodations are build on a high surface where is not always good access and enough space. This means that not every party can be on the construction site at the same time. This was a challenge when it comes to project planning and there were due to some other circumstances some delays.
In the beginning the project had a big delay due to a review of the profiling of the dike. Drawings had to be updated which caused a delay in time of other activities. A second challenge was the leftover ground which had to be disposed. It was decided to replace a part of the leftover ground in the adjacent creek which worked out well, because the turning point for big machinery was therefore larger. Also challenging was the use of concrete turning elements which seemed not possible due to the construction of the accommodations. In stead of these concrete elements a choice was made for Lego concrete blocks which are also circular, because they can easily be taken apart and used again. A last big challenge was about the delivery of the materials on time. Partly due to the outbreak of the corona crisis, the delivery of materials for construction was delayed. These unexpectedly long delivery times have caused delays.
The different partners worked hard to have the dike suites finished by July. The initial planning was to have them finished before the season in March. Unfortunately, this did not work out due to the aforementioned issues. The Dike Suites have become luxury circular accommodations with a kitchen, two bathrooms, heating elements and luxury (garden) furniture.
More pictures can be found via the website of Villapark de Paardekreek: https://ap.lc/BP9Oz
| June 2021:
The last work on the Zeeland Dijksuites is currently being completed and guests can come and enjoy these circular, sustainable and energy-efficient accommodations from mid-July.
On the News
The pilot of the circular dike suites has been in the news several times! Find all articles here (Dutch)
Omroep Zeeland (local news) - https://www.omroepzeeland.nl/nieuws/128931/Een-duurzame-vakantie-vieren-in-een-dijk-dan-ben-je-pas-milieuvriendelijk
Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant (local news) - https://www.pzc.nl/bevelanden/vakantie-vieren-in-een-dijk-bij-de-paardekreek-de-suites-zijn-nog-volledig-te-recyclen-ook~a7804e2c/
R-strategies
Re-use: The Paardekreek uses for building and furnishing the accommodation products that have already been used for other purposes. The stelcom plates on which the accommodations are located are second-hand, for the table in the accommodation a table top which is an old floor from a sports hall may be used. In addition, the accommodation will be built so that the materials can be easily disassembled and reused. This also applies to the installation and connection of electricity.
Recycle: Products that are used for the construction and interior of the accommodation are from recycled materials, such as for example the outdoor chairs. The kitchen in the accommodation is also made by using secondary raw materials and the packaging materials are recyclable.
Involved organizations (Netherlands)
WTS architecten, Bouwbedrijf Rijk, Installatiebedrijf van de Velde, Bruynzeel keukens, Madino Terrasmeubilair
Pictures:
