AUG 27-31
At Into The Great Wide Open, we are literally building the future together with the construction industry. Once again this year, the festival and construction sectors are joining forces at the Construction Site of the Future. A testing ground for emission-free, circular and bio-based building, spread across the island, where together with partners such as BAM, TBI and Stichting Doen, we are experimenting with sustainable innovations.
FESTIVAL AS A TESTING GROUND
Festivals offer the perfect experimental space for sustainable innovation: their temporary nature makes it possible to bring sustainable ideas to life, from conceptualization to real-world experimentation. With the festival grounds as a base and the expertise of the construction sector, sustainable solutions are being developed that help both the construction sector and the festival sector make the transition to a circular and emission-free future. No theory, but practice: experiments with fully electric transport, bio-based geotextiles and the constructive use of sustainable materials such as bamboo.
BUILD with us
As a partner of Bouwplaats van de Toekomst, you become part of a powerful network and increase your own visibility as a pioneer in construction. Want to learn more about our partnerships? Download the brochure.
emission-free energy
Where many festivals and construction sites still rely on fossil generators and high power requirements, the Construction Site of the Future in 2025 operated entirely on local solar energy and green hydrogen. Thanks to a smart network of mobile batteries, grid connections, and hydrogen generators, and by combining knowledge and resources, this sustainable solution has become a reality.
emission-free construction equipment and transport
The switch to zero-emission energy on site also made zero-emission construction equipment possible: electric forklifts, vans, aerial work platforms and other equipment are charged on site with electricity from Dutch solar and wind power. In collaboration with Topsector Logistiek, experiments are also being carried out with zero-emission transport: fossil-fuel trucks have been replaced by electric ones for all inbound and outbound transport of materials, food and equipment. The knowledge gained is being brought together in a blueprint that accelerates the sustainable mobility transition in both the construction sector and the festival industry.
biobased and circular building materials
An important goal is to replace fossil-based materials with biobased alternatives. In 2025, for the first time, a biobased geotextile was tested under the remopla (clickable track plate system) in the backstage area (thanks to BAM and Joosten Groep) – a product that is widely used in both construction and at festivals. In addition, the Bouwplaats took steps toward structural construction with sustainable materials, such as bamboo. This fast-growing material stores a lot of CO₂, grows on poor soil, and is incredibly strong. By carrying out structures on site and starting certification processes with Studio Akeka, which specializes in building with bamboo, the barriers to large-scale structural use of biobased materials are being reduced. The plan is to build a stage out of bamboo in 2026.
water
This year we are adding a new pillar: water. The urgency is high due to increasing salinization, climate change, PFAS and pharmaceutical residues, nitrogen and phosphate problems, pressure on wastewater treatment plants, and our dependence on imports and waste export. The construction sector is also running into problems because of high drinking water use and the need for local treatment to prevent discharges into the sewer system and surface water. That is why there is a need for local, circular, energy-positive and emission-free solutions. For this, we are working together with organizations and companies that want to use the Construction Site of the Future to innovate faster, better and more broadly.
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
Receive updates, insights, and invitations directly in your mailbox. The results of the Construction Site of the Future 2025 and the Synergy Hackathon will be shared here later in a report.
Contact
Do you have questions about the Construction Site of the Future, or do you want to build with us? Email rob@intothegreatwideopen.nl.
FOR the press
Press releases and accompanying images are located in the press kit.
