Step inside the new trier waste management depot of the Trier Region Waste Management Association, known as A.R.T., and you notice the wood first. Timber lines the office and communal areas, giving the building a warm, welcoming feel. The choice of materials was made with a long service life in mind.
Max Monzel, director of A.R.T., acted as client and commissioned Pasucha Klepzig Architects to oversee the project. He said the association did not want a polystyrene box. The building relies mainly on steel, glass, timber, concrete and natural stone.
Material choices like these echo a wider movement in building design, where local resources and long-lasting components shape every decision. Eco-Friendly Architecture Strategies from Iran to Jaipur shows how other designers tackle the same challenge.
“We wanted natural materials that people can understand, touch, repair and maintain,” Monzel said. He added that if the building is ever no longer used in its current form, its components should be reused or recycled as building materials wherever possible. He said this thinking matches the association’s daily mission and shaped the plans from the start.
Inside the trier waste management depot
The trier waste management depot accommodates around 220 staff. It combines offices, workshops, storage areas and communal spaces under one roof. The architecture reflects the association’s core aims: reuse, recycling and responsible use of resources.
Monzel put the principle plainly. “If you take this idea seriously, you have to live by it yourself,” he said.
Fittings chosen for durability
The same logic guided the choice of fittings. The team wanted products that would work reliably for years and could be maintained without difficulty. Vola fittings met those standards.
For the sanitary areas, the project specified three Vola models. They are the touch-free wall-mounted washbasin spout Vola 4321-40, the concealed washbasin mixer Vola 121-40 and the bottle-type odour trap Vola A34-40. The touch-free spout supports hygienic use in high-traffic areas. Its wall-integrated design sits discreetly within the architecture.
The concealed installation principle is central to Vola’s identity. Arne Jacobsen and Verner Overgaard developed it, and it characterises the long-established Danish company. The technology sits behind the wall, and only the control elements and spout stay visible. The brand has worked on this design principle since 1968.
Monzel said the team needed a solution whose minimalist, clear design would match the architectural standards of the building. He also valued the cartridges, which are easy to replace. “That may sound like a minor detail, but it is extremely important in day-to-day use,” he said.
Vola’s system concept also helped. Handles, levers, spouts and other elements can be swapped or added within the product range without disturbing the overall design. Many components remain available over long periods. Monzel said long-term usability and the option to refurbish played a particularly important role, as did economical operation over the long term.
The fittings are manufactured in Denmark. For the depot, the team selected versions made of solid V4A-grade stainless steel.
Collaboration also mattered during construction. Questions about drawings, installation details and assembly could be resolved directly with the manufacturer. Monzel said short decision-making processes and reliable technical advice are valuable on a project of this kind, because they help solve detailed problems on site quickly.
Quality that staff can see
The trier waste management depot’s design extends to the washrooms, and Monzel linked that to recruitment. Competition for skilled workers is growing, he noted, and the details of a workplace matter to the people who use it every day.
“Anyone who works for a company every day should feel that attention is paid to quality,” he said. “Not in the sense of luxury, but in the sense of care. There should be no contradiction between our social mission and the way we build and work.”
Timber plays a leading role in the depot’s warm interiors, and it can also be treated in striking ways. Charred Timber Architecture Projects Around the World offers a visual tour of buildings that use burnt wood for durability and character.
The trier waste management depot shows how far A.R.T. takes the circular economy. The approach starts with the choice of materials and runs down to the smallest fittings. In the building’s daily operation, responsible use of resources is something staff can see and touch.
Via stylepark.com
Frequently asked questions
How many staff work in the trier waste management depot?
The trier waste management depot accommodates around 220 staff. It combines offices, workshops, storage areas and communal spaces under one roof.
Which Vola fittings were chosen for the trier depot’s sanitary areas?
The project specified three Vola models: the touch-free wall-mounted washbasin spout 4321-40, the concealed washbasin mixer 121-40, and the bottle-type odour trap A34-40. The touch-free spout supports hygienic use in high-traffic areas.
Why did A.R.T. choose Vola fittings for its depot?
The team wanted fittings that would work reliably for years and could be maintained without difficulty, and Vola met those standards. Cartridges that are easy to replace, components available over long periods, and the option to refurbish were also valued.
What materials were used to build the trier waste management depot?
The building relies mainly on steel, glass, timber, concrete and natural stone. Timber lines the office and communal areas, giving the building a warm feel.
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