“Today the wood arrives at the construction site!” With that news, another milestone in the construction of Knoest, the circular housing complex in Pijnacker, began. Soon after, the last of the 29 flats was sold. An important milestone for Niels Baars of De Makelaars (Rotterdam) and Natasja Goedegebuur of De Laen Makelaardij (Pijnacker), jointly responsible for the sale of this unique project.
But what makes Knoest so unique? How do buyers experience the transition to timber construction and what is involved in selling such innovative homes? We spoke to Niels and Natasja about their experiences, challenges and their vision of the future of timber construction.
Wood as an eye-catcher
Knoest literally and figuratively catches the eye: driving past the construction site, you see a wooden structure rising. The circular, nature-coloured interior makes the complex even more attractive. Natasja notices that many buyers are immediately attracted by the unique look: “People really think it is a special building. It looks different from what they are used to.”
The location also plays a big role, says Niels: “The small scale and location make Knoest attractive, especially with the forest nearby.” He also sees that the use of wood has clear added value, both in the design and in the experience of residents: “Wood is a material that not only breathes sustainability, but also offers warmth and a natural look. That makes the project stand out among more traditional new buildings.”
Will I have enough sun on my balcony?
People turned out to be less concerned with wood when buying their homes than the estate agents had expected. “They are more concerned with practical matters such as location, sunlight and price than with the building form,” says Natasja. So for many buyers, timber construction was not the main argument, but rather a pleasant side effect. “It is simply seen as the new building. People like the fact that they are buying something that is good for the environment, but at the end of the day they mainly choose a home that suits their needs.”
Niels sees a similar pattern, but notices that timber construction does lead to conversations, especially once buyers learn more about the benefits. “In the beginning, you sometimes notice some hesitation, especially because timber construction is new. But once people understand that it not only contributes to CO2 reduction, but also ensures a healthy indoor climate, many doubts turn into enthusiasm,” he explains. “Some people do drop out because of costs and doubts, for instance, but that group has turned out to be relatively small!”
Informing is convincing
Selling homes in an innovative project like Knoest involves slightly different challenges. According to Natasja and Niels, it was especially important to inform buyers well and address any concerns. “With a project like this, you face questions that you don’t hear with every new-build project,” Natasja says. “Yet we noticed that buyers were quickly reassured by the clear information about the construction process and materials. Sturdiness, fire safety or maintenance were hardly a topic of discussion.”
Home as a lifestyle
Although not every buyer is a sustainability idealist, choosing a wooden house ultimately has its charm. After all, it is nice to contribute to the environment. “People who were initially hesitant went along with the story behind the construction,” Niels says. “They liked hearing that the materials come from responsibly managed European forests and that by choosing them they were contributing to a circular future. That feeling gave many just that extra push.”
For Natasja, the diversity of the target group is also a huge strength: “Because we offered homes in different price ranges, the project attracted first-time buyers, people moving on and older people. That creates a nice mix and a lively atmosphere in the complex.” She noticed that people got excited about the location and the design. “The various flats just fit well with diverse housing needs. Timber construction is then a nice bonus.”
Contributing to the future
Both estate agents believe that a project like Knoest opens the doors to many more timber construction projects. A positive development, Niels believes. “It gives me a lot of energy and satisfaction to work on something that really contributes to the future”. He compares the development of timber construction to the rise of hybrid cars: “At first there is doubt, but as people discover the advantages and the costs come down, it becomes more and more common. And once the first residents move in, I’m sure they will become ambassadors.”
Natasja concurs: “Innovative construction methods using wood are becoming more and more the norm. I think we will see more and more projects like Knoest in the future, because sustainability in construction is becoming indispensable. And as an estate agent, I’m happy to contribute to that!”
