Embassy of Circular & Biobased Building

Over the past seven years, Dutch Design Foundation brought together designers, governments, businesses and knowledge institutions through the World Design Embassies programme to shape a more sustainable and socially inclusive future. Each Embassy focused on a specific societal theme – ranging from health and mobility to food and safety – using design as a tool to explore new perspectives and shape meaningful transitions. World Design Embassies provided space for research, experimentation and connection. Take a look below at 6 years of the Embassy of Circular & Biobased Building

The Embassy of Circular & Biobased Building explores how our built environment can contribute to a healthier planet. It is committed to a construction sector that acts as a regenerative force—a way of building that not only stores CO₂, but also enhances biodiversity and strengthens local ecosystems.

From biobased materials to circular systems

The Embassy began by showcasing the potential of natural materials in construction. Projects like The Growing Pavilion (2019) and The Exploded View – Materials & Methods (2020) demonstrated how materials such as mycelium, straw, and seaweed could be used to create sustainable structures. These installations served as tangible examples of how biobased materials can replace traditional, carbon-intensive building components.​

Scaling up: The Exploded View – Beyond Building

In 2021, the Embassy expanded its vision with The Exploded View – Beyond Building, a full-scale house constructed entirely from biobased materials. This project not only highlighted the feasibility of sustainable construction but also emphasised the importance of considering the entire lifecycle of building materials. Collaborations with organisations like TNO provided insights into how such materials could contribute to CO₂ and nitrogen reduction in the construction industry.​

Envisioning Possible Landscapes

Recognising that sustainable building extends beyond individual structures, the Embassy launched the Possible Landscapes programme in 2022. This initiative aims to redesign entire living environments by integrating regenerative practices into urban planning. By involving stakeholders from various sectors—agriculture, water management, and infrastructure—the Embassy seeks to create landscapes that are not only sustainable but also enhance the quality of life for all inhabitants.​

Building as a Landscape

Looking ahead, the Embassy’s Building as a Landscape programme focuses on the synergy between nature, construction, and infrastructure. In a world where urbanisation often comes at the expense of nature, a new vision is emerging that seeks harmony between the built environment and the natural world. This vision forms the foundation of Building as a Landscape, where nature, construction, and infrastructure converge to create regenerative urban landscapes. The central question we explore is: How can we connect buildings and infrastructure with nature to develop a regenerative urban landscape?

Since 2025, the World Design Embassies programme has come to a close. Dutch Design Foundation is building on its legacy with Coalitions: a new platform and structural approach that connects creative thinkers and makers with the momentum of science, organisations and government. Coalitions harness the power of design to address societal challenges and accelerate change towards a more sustainable and inclusive society.