Sustainable living in an exceptional and forward-thinking timber construction project
In Brunssum, Smeets Bouw is realizing an ambitious and forward-thinking timber construction project in collaboration with Wonen Limburg. The development comprises 39 apartments, incorporating more than 750 tonnes of timber, spread across eight storeys and reaching a height of 25.5 metres. The apartments are intended for social housing. Located on Dorpstraat, the project forms part of Wonen Limburg’s ambition to develop more projects using timber — a choice that significantly reduces the environmental footprint of residential construction.
In September 2024, Smeets Bouw was selected by Wonen Limburg as the construction team partner for the Dorpstraat project in Brunssum. For this project, Smeets Bouw assembled a specialist timber construction team, bringing together extensive experience and expertise in modern and sustainable construction methods.
Machiels Building Solutions is one of the key partners involved in the project. Machiels is responsible for the timber-frame façade elements, featuring pre-weathered timber cladding. The façade elements are fully prefabricated, including the finishing and window frames, and are manufactured entirely to measure under controlled factory conditions.
Sustainability is at the heart of the development of this timber-frame construction project in Brunssum. Timber is a renewable resource that absorbs CO₂ during its growth and stores it over the long term, thereby functioning as a natural carbon store. In addition, timber offers excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties, helping to reduce energy consumption and, consequently, the cost of living for residents.
Timber is lightweight, bio-based and particularly well suited to prefabrication, resulting in shorter construction times and minimal waste streams. The demountable nature of timber structures also makes it possible to dismantle and reuse materials efficiently, fully aligning with the principles of the circular economy. Innovations in timber processing and sustainable construction techniques further enhance these benefits and are contributing to the continued growth of timber construction.
Timber construction therefore offers not only a climate-friendly solution, but also economic benefits and long-term quality for residents. The timber is transported by rail from Austria, a conscious choice that significantly reduces the environmental impact associated with transport. With this project, Smeets Bouw and Wonen Limburg are jointly setting a new benchmark for sustainable construction in Limburg: high-quality, circular and designed with the future in mind.
Construction started in December 2025, with the assembly of the timber structural frame scheduled to begin in May 2026. Completion is expected in the first quarter of 2027.
