This gradation project deals with the adaptive re-use of the vacant heritage V&D department store in Leiden. Both the story of the downfall of the V&D and the vacancy of these department stores illustrate a larger problem in the building industry. Because needs and desires in society change rapidly and that is why buildings will become irrelevant or vacant after some time. The result is often demolition of vacant buildings, a pile of waste and the loss of finite materials. Several V&Ds in other cities have already been demolished and made place for new buildings, contributing to the enormous yearly creation of waste in the building sector.

A sustainable alternative to build in an ever changing society and achieve an optimal use of building materials, the circular economy is gaining momentum in both research and design. The Dutch government set the goal to become circular in the Netherlands by 2050, including the building sector. The main focus of circularity in the building sector is on: reduce dependency of raw materials, minimize waste and design for adaptability. But there lies a challenge in applying circularity to existing buildings with monumental values, because you have to deal with a complex existing building.

This graduation project is focused on applying principles of the circular economy on the heritage V&D building in Leiden. The redesign researches the possibilities to activate and increase the circular potential of this building with heritage value. In the redesign the former V&D building is transformed into a circular innovation centre where recreational, educational and innovative functions meet and work together on the transition towards the circular economy.

The title ‘a gap in the market’ refers in the first place to the economic importance of the site in the city of Leiden throughout history, because of its function as central marketplace. The vacancy of the V&D building creates literally a gap in the heart of the city of Leiden. But with the new function as a circular innovation center, this building can facilitate the next gap in the market.