Press Release

Arizona State University partners with sustainable Dutch development for productivity assessment

Park 20|20, located in the town of Hoofddorp, is geared to energize and empower employees through a “human-centered design approach” via its architecture and landscape. The cradle-to-cradle design achieves sustainability by creating closed cycles for materials, energy, waste, and water.

Published 11 years ago | About a 3 minute read

The Arizona State University Global Sustainability Solutions Center (GSSC) at Haarlemmermeer announced its first project agreement in the Netherlands on September 30th 2013. GSSC will conduct research and analysis for Park 20|20, the Netherlands’ first cradle-to-cradle working environment, in order to assess the links between employee and firm productivity and the built environment. Park 20|20, located in the town of Hoofddorp, is geared to energize and empower employees through a “human-centered design approach” via its architecture and landscape. The cradle-to-cradle design achieves sustainability by creating closed cycles for materials, energy, waste, and water. GSSC, a program within the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives in the ASU Global Institute of Sustainability, will look at how productivity is defined, what metrics are used in analyzing productivity and how productivity links to the working space and environment. The project will involve faculty, staff and one graduate student from ASU supported by staff mentorship. “Park 20|20 along with our partners at VolkerWessels and Reggeborgh are excited to have the opportunity to work with ASU on this very interesting and necessary project to discover how the Cradle to Cradle principle benefits the built environment,” said Coert Zachariasse, CEO of Delta Development Group and a director of Park 20|20. “This research will provide concrete evidence of how innovation and ambition in the optimization of the working environment benefits people and in turn affects productivity.’’ The cradle-to-cradle concept for Park 20|20 was championed by chemist Michael Braungart and architect and designer, William McDonough, who also is a board member of the Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University. “The project will provide important information for Park 20|20 as it continually innovates to optimize the working environment for its clients”, said Marta Hulley Friedman, program manager of the GSSC. She added: “We are very enthusiastic about partnering with Park 20|20 and providing an opportunity for our faculty and students to learn about the concepts behind Park 20|20. This is the first in a number of projects we hope to engage in together.” For more information on the center in Haarlemmermeer, please visit http://sustainabilitysolutions.asu.edu/programs/globalcenters/haarlemmermeer. About the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives The Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives are the result of a $27.5 million investment in Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability by the Walton Family Foundation. Within the Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives, diverse teams of faculty, students, entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators collaborate to deliver sustainability solutions, accelerate global impact, and inspire future leaders through eight distinct initiatives. For more information visit sustainabilitysolutions.asu.edu. About Park 20|20 Park 20|20 is a development by Delta Development Group, VolkerWessels and Reggeborgh (www.park2020.com). This unique project in the Municipality of Haarlemmermeer, nearby Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, is being fully realized according to the Cradle to Cradle principle (C2C) by Architect William McDonough and Chemist Michael Braungart. The project includes highly sustainable office space with inspiring public space with meeting areas, sports facilities, a park café and various other amenities. Nearby hotel and conference facilities provide extra complimentary services. With the adoption of Cradle to Cradle within a full business case a unique business model with a competitive edge has been created in the development of Park 20|20. Optimization of residual values is created by means of demountable building, by using material passports and materials that fulfill the ambitions of the C2C concept. Solar energy, water treatment and energy from waste and advanced techniques via the use of hot and cold storage gives the Park a solid base to continue striving towards the next steps for a circular economy. Within the whole design, human-centered well-being and productivity is crucial. Park 20|20 houses an educational Experience Center where C2C information, know-how and expertise is available. Companies located here include BSH Home Appliances, FOX Vakanties, FIFPro, Parkcafé Groen and shortly Bluewater will be housed there.