Self-building with Waste Based Bricks

De Gouverneur is a new residential house between existing buildings in the Old West of Rotterdam. Its building height and masonry facade make it a neutral integration into its surroundings and surprisingly spacious and light inside.

Brick from construction waste
The masonry bond refers to both pre-war and post-war architecture. The doubled chain bond ends at the top of the building with set-back bricks, forming a modern gable end. The brick used is made from construction waste. It is a new product and the first time brick has been used as a facade material.

The smooth surface of these bricks reflects light differently and reveals the composition of the bricks: they are made from construction waste such as stone, glass and ceramics. Thus, the waste in the bricks is the decoration of the house. Applying this circular brick is innovation within tradition.