During the Social Innovation Event on 30 November, Construction Team + won the Social Innovation Award 2011. The prize was presented by prof. dr. P. Eijlander, rector of Tilburg University. Tilburg University organised the event in cooperation with Midpoint Brabant, the municipality of Tilburg and Community Sense.
Construction Team + is an innovative cooperation format that we now use for the new, sustainable office of Van Helvoirt Groenprojecten [landscaping company]. We further developed this cooperation format with the electrotechnical bureau of Klosterman and the architects’ combination of Equipe. And now we put this into practice with a construction team that further consists of Aannemersbedrijf Roger Michels (building contractors), GLC Houtconstructies Zuid (wood constructions), Reytech Innovation Projects, Van Delft Installatie (installation), Ecofyt (constructed wetlands), De Zeven Deugden (advice and management) and DGMR (engineering).
Construction Team + turns the building column into a horizontal building process. The jury called this approach promising and ambitious. The Social Innovation Award itself consists of professional guidance during the formation of a network around the innovation.
We are of course very happy with this recognition, because like many innovations, ours also involves trial and error. We have learned a lot in the process and realise that a number of aspects still need to be developed. We are convinced though, that another way of working is necessary in the building industry. We will have to make construction more sustainable, while the client’s wish is leading, whereby we work from our hearts and people are proud of what we can realise together. It is a great pleasure to put down a beautiful building and we are working hard on that.
Today, the last roof panels were laid. Next week the insulation will be added and the top layer will be poured before Christmas. In the beginning of 2012 the extension will be ready and the renovation of the old part will start. If you want to follow the process, go to www.duurzaamkantoor2011.nl (in Dutch).
Of course we also congratulate Prins Heerlijk, the other winner, on winning this great prize!
The Social Innovation Award is a prize for the most promising approach in the field of economic and social innovation. The award is not so much about a technological development or a brilliant idea, but rather about a clever application, further development or process improvement. The prize was awarded this year to two enterprises that are active in different fields: the building industry and the hotel and catering industry.