114 Sustainable Apartments in CLT Construction
Nieuw Boekhorst in Voorhout comprises 114 apartments designed through a clear commitment to CLT construction in the Netherlands, biobased building principles and sustainable residential development. The project demonstrates that mass timber is not limited to high-rise urban contexts, but equally suited to green, village-scale neighbourhoods.
Rather than creating isolated buildings, the design establishes a coherent living environment where architecture, landscape and community reinforce one another. Residents meet along permeable pathways, beneath tree-lined routes and beside planted façades.
This is future-oriented housing in mass timber.
Biobased Construction as Foundation
The structural system is conceived as a CLT structural frame, significantly reducing embodied carbon while storing CO₂ within the building fabric.
CLT construction supports:
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Carbon storage within the structure
- Lightweight and efficient construction
- A healthy and comfortable indoor environment
Timber façades are articulated through varied rhythms and depths, while a mineral brick plinth anchors the buildings within their village setting. Integrated planting and nesting provisions enhance biodiversity.
Here, timber architecture is expressed at a human scale.
Village Living with Urban Quality
Nieuw Boekhorst is designed as a green, future-ready neighbourhood where buildings are positioned within a structured landscape of hedges, trees and permeable paths.
Clearly defined entrances and active balconies contribute to social interaction. Generous, daylit circulation spaces and wide staircases create opportunities for informal encounters.
The project illustrates how density can coexist with spatial quality and village identity.
Climate-Responsive and Circular
Alongside mass timber construction, the project integrates climate-adaptive and circular strategies:
- Sedum roofs for rainwater buffering and biodiversity
- Photovoltaic panels for renewable energy generation
- Permeable paving to mitigate heat stress
- Façade planting for natural cooling
Circular construction is approached as an integrated system, aligning architecture, energy and landscape within one cohesive framework.
Comfortable and Efficient Apartments
The apartments range from approximately 76 to 77.6 m² and include:
- Two bedrooms
- A generous living space
- Semi-recessed balcony
- Bathroom and separate WC
- Efficient layouts with high residential comfort
Mass timber contributes to material warmth, indoor comfort and a strong connection between interior and landscape.
Project Information
Location: Nieuw Boekhorst, Voorhout, The Netherlands
Programme: 114 apartments
Structure: CLT structural system
Architects: Urban Climate Architects
Status: Tender phase
CLT Construction as a Driver of Sustainable Housing
Nieuw Boekhorst demonstrates how CLT construction in the Netherlands can accelerate housing delivery while contributing to decarbonisation.
Biobased construction is not a niche approach, but a necessary step towards low-carbon neighbourhood development.
If you are exploring sustainable timber housing, we would be pleased to collaborate.
Contact for more information
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