Knoest Pijnacker – living in wood, connected to the landscape

Balconies give the building space and rhythm

At Knoest, timber living takes on a unique identity. Urban Climate Architects designed an apartment building where staggered balconies give the facade a lively rhythm and offer residents their own private outdoor space. The timber facade connects the building to its green surroundings and gives it a recognizable character within the neighborhood.

Knoest is part of KIEM / De Scheg in Pijnacker, where housing, greenery, and water come together. Our design brings that relationship close: from inside the home, on the balcony, and at the point where the building meets the landscape. This is how timber architecture gains meaning in daily life. Urban Climate Architects Projects

Wood as both structure and character

The walls and floors are made of CLT: cross-laminated timber panels. The core and cantilevered balconies also demonstrate the full structural potential of wood. Where the wood remains visible inside, residents experience the material up close.

On the exterior, Platowood Fraké gives the building a warm appearance. This ensures that the construction and material choices form a recognizable thread throughout the design. Knoest shows how designing with CLT can deliver spatial quality, from the load-bearing structure to the outdoor space. Knoest - Van Zanten

Designed with material and environmental impact in mind

From the design phase onwards, we worked with Revolve to explore how material choices could contribute to our sustainability goals. The chosen construction combines CLT with concrete where high load-bearing capacity is required. This allows wood to be used strategically within the building's technical capabilities.

This approach aligns with our vision for biobased construction: design, construction, and material selection reinforce one another. Revolve managed the sustainability ambitions throughout the process. Van Zanten Bouw realized the building. The apartments are equipped with individual ground-source heat pumps. Revolve Co

A residential building with a focus on nature

The green surroundings are extended into the building. Nesting facilities for birds and bats have been integrated into the facade. The planting is in harmony with the local flora.

Knoest thus provides space for various forms of life. Residents have their own outdoor space, while the building also adds habitats for animals. Architecture and landscape reinforce each other, right down to the facade level. Platowood

Photography: © Egbert de Boer.

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Timber construction for apartments in Pijnacker

Knoest demonstrates how a wooden apartment building can achieve a distinct identity. CLT, timber cladding, and staggered balconies come together in a design where material and living quality reinforce one another. As timber architects, we connect the technical possibilities of wood with the experience of the residents.

Biobased living with room for nature

At Knoest, the focus on natural materials extends to the relationship with the surroundings. Wood gives the building character; nesting facilities and appropriate planting connect the facade to the landscape. In this way, biobased living takes shape at the scale of the home, the building, and the neighborhood.