CIRCL, the Vanhout subsidiary that is revolutionising our sector with its radically sustainable, fast, and affordable homes, has sold over 40 homes in its first year. As it enters its second year, CIRCL continues to innovate without pause, aiming for a 100% digital customer journey that offers full control, transparency, and price certainty from design to delivery.
Sustainable, fast, and affordable
On 1 June 2023, in the presence of Flemish Minister of Housing Matthias Diependaele, CIRCL unveiled its first circular model home to the public in Diest (Belgium), marking the official launch of Belgium's first provider of customised circular turnkey homes. A year later, CIRCL has sold 40 homes, with more orders in the pipeline, indicating strong acceptance of its sustainable, fast, and affordable construction model by the Belgian public.
"With CIRCL, we offer a credible and attractive alternative to traditional building methods," says Wim Pieters, founder and CEO of CIRCL. "Our concept, the first off-site construction model to provide tailored solutions, is radically digital, sustainable, flexible, and incredibly fast. It takes just six to eight weeks from the start of construction to completion. While the initial cost is comparable to a classic house, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is significantly lower in the long run."
Standardised, yet flexible
To offer competitive prices, CIRCL prioritises maximum efficiency in every aspect.
"Everything is meticulously planned. Our compact technical module and smart wall systems provide seven per cent more net floor space compared to a traditional house, which amounts to an extra room," continues Wim Pieters. "Additionally, our modular houses can be easily dismantled or adapted to be smaller or larger, even adding a floor, without wasting materials."
Huge potential for sustainability
The environmental impact of traditional construction is substantial, with the sector responsible for about 40% of CO₂ emissions, 50% of energy consumption, and a third of waste, alongside massive water and raw material usage. CIRCL is addressing this by making sustainable construction affordable. Seventy per cent of materials in a CIRCL house are bio-based, and forty per cent are recycled. A CIRCL house even has a demountability index of 79%!
By employing the most energy-efficient techniques, such as heat pumps and solar panels, and thorough insulation, energy costs and consumption are minimised, down to -50% of energy consumption compared to a conventional construction. CIRCL relies on strong, carefully selected permanent partners for off-site production, minimising waste and ensuring a fixed price with no surprises.
Digital customer experience
CIRCL is also innovating in customer experience. This autumn, CIRCL will launch an online design module.
"Oftentimes, the total cost and included features are unclear to clients. Estimating spatial possibilities for new builds can also be challenging. To eliminate this uncertainty, we are developing design software that allows customers to create their home online according to their plot and immediately see the final price. This sets a new standard for customer-friendliness in construction," Wim Pieters explains.
CIRCL aspires to sell more than 100 homes annually and is exploring the potential for multifamily houses, flats, and other large projects.
