AUG 27-31
At Into The Great Wide Open, we are building the future together. Literally. At the Construction Site of the Future, pioneers from the event and construction sectors are joining forces. Here, organizations experiment with emission-free, circular, and biobased construction techniques. A temporary testing ground where we can freely test new techniques, materials, and logistical concepts, with the nature of Vlieland as a living environment.
FESTIVAL AS A PLACE FOR DEVELOPMENT
The events sector and the construction industry have more in common than you might think. They face the same challenges regarding transport, energy supply, material use, and water. Both are dealing with sustainability demands that require innovative solutions. Consequently, both sectors can learn a great deal from each other. The temporary nature of a festival location makes experimentation and knowledge sharing easier, while the longer duration of a construction site allows for greater impact and more in-depth research. By combining both worlds, we help each other in the transition to a circular and emission-free future. On the island, but especially far beyond.
Become a Partner
our 4 pillars
emission-free energy
A festival or construction site requires huge amounts of energy, often without large grid connections being available. Often, fossil-fueled generators are still the norm here. Construction Site of the Future proves that things can be done differently. For instance, in 2026, the entire assembly and disassembly of the Open Plek location was done using green hydrogen. We also worked with a new generation of container batteries and hydrogen generators. In addition, the People Power Planet hackathon took place again, where experts from the energy, construction, and festival sectors searched for new, practical solutions to energy challenges.
emission-free construction equipment and transport
The transition to emission-free energy also enables emission-free construction equipment: electric forklifts, vans, and aerial work platforms, which are charged on-site with electricity from Dutch solar and wind power. This year, we are experimenting with V2G and V2L applications for electric cars, and a PTO truck. We also experimented for the first time with power supply via bidirectional charging. That was far from flawless, but it already works in practice. This leaves us wanting more, so we continue to work towards our goal: a fully functional, emission-free power grid via bidirectional vehicles.
At the Bouwplaats (Construction Site), plenty of experiments are being conducted with biobased alternatives to fossil-based construction materials. In 2025, BAM and Joosten Groep introduced a biodegradable geotextile for underneath the floor system in the backstage area. This year, we built a 9-meter-high stage made of bamboo: wind-resistant, lightweight, and 100% safe. The stage proved to be the most wind-resistant structure of the festival and was praised by artists for its acoustics. The next step? Scaling up. To build with bamboo on a large scale, solutions are needed for regulations, certification, and higher costs. To contribute to this, Bouwplaats of the Future is making the construction book and structural drawings public. We are also collaborating with ONCRA to convert stored CO₂ into financial compensation. In this way, we are trying to take building with bamboo to the next level.
water
In 2026, we added a new pillar: water. And this is highly necessary, as clean water is becoming increasingly less self-evident due to pollution, climate change, and strict regulations. Therefore, there is a great need for local, circular, energy-positive, and emission-free solutions.
At the Construction Site, we experimented with different forms of water purification. And what turned out? Realizing the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and drinking water quality from drainage water is very well possible. The next step is to determine which filter combination, price per m³, and flow rate work best.
Report Construction Site of the Future 2025
To measure is to know and to report is learning further. That's why the Construction Site of the Future published a report in December 2025 with all the results from the 2025 edition summarized. In addition to lessons and conclusions for ourselves, these are also relevant insights for the construction sector, the events industry, knowledge partners, and policymakers to build further. Below is the complete report and the summary to read.
Stay informed
Curious about what is happening at the construction site? Leave your email address and receive updates about our new projects a few times a year.
Contact
FOR the press
Press releases and corresponding visual material can be found in the press kit.
