Meet Arjen Aarnoudse and Farah Agarwal, an architect couple who are not just designing buildings but shaping a more sustainable future. Their recent move to Aruba marks the start of an exciting chapter, where their firm, 'The Way We Build,' aims to introduce and integrate sustainable design and building practices into the heart of Aruba's architectural landscape. Their approach is about more than just aesthetics; it's a commitment to creating eco-friendly, functional, and innovative spaces in harmony with the island's vibrant culture and environment.
The Heart of Their Mission: 'TimberTropic' ; a pioneering approach to sustainable building. This isn't just about choosing eco-friendly materials; it's about rethinking how we build from the ground up. Farah, with her keen eye for design, explains, 'TimberTropic' is our way of harmonizing with nature, using massive wood to create structures that are as kind to the environment as they are beautiful."
As the first architects in their respective families, they met during their studies and have been inseparable ever since, both in life and in their dedication to sustainable architecture. Their partnership extends beyond their professional work; they have been married for nine years, a journey filled with love, collaboration, and mutual support, and are proud parents to two children. Farah's roots run deep in Aruba, tracing back to her mother, who was a significant inspiration in her life. Despite the recent loss of her mother shortly after their move, Farah is determined to honor her legacy by making Aruba their family's home and a place where they can thrive.
For Arjen, moving to Aruba was a natural decision, made easy by his eagerness to support Farah and explore new opportunities. He views their move as not just a change of location but as a chance to bring their sustainable architectural vision to life in an environment ripe with potential.
While both Arjen and Farah are skilled in architecture, Farah's passion veers more towards interior design, where she excels in creating spaces that are as beautiful as they are meaningful. Arjen admires this aspect of Farah's expertise, recognizing how their different strengths complement each other perfectly. Together, they aspire to infuse their work with sustainability, aiming to influence Aruba's architectural landscape positively.
Their work isn't confined to one location. Having crafted sustainable buildings across Europe and Africa, they bring a wealth of experience and a global perspective to Aruba. "Each project has been a step towards understanding how we can live in harmony with our environment," Farah reflects.
Aruba is more than just a new location; it's a new opportunity to make a significant impact. Farah, with her ancestral ties to the island, and Arjen, always ready for a challenge, see Aruba as a place ripe for sustainable architectural innovation. "Introducing 'TimberTropic' here feels like we're planting seeds for a greener future," Farah muses. We are both strong designers, different but complementary. Farah is a real aesthete and more material oriented, while Arjen is more technical savvy and likes to actively coordinate on the construction site.
"TimberTropic," a groundbreaking building concept proposed by Arjen and Farah Aarnoudse, promises to revolutionize construction in Aruba. Utilizing solid slabs of cross-laminated timber, this method streamlines the building process through prefabricated components delivered in containers, enabling faster assembly similar to a puzzle. This unique approach, not yet utilized in Aruba, is ideal for both new constructions and upgrades to existing buildings. With durability comparable to concrete, "TimberTropic," is well-suited for Aruba's tropical climate. Its natural insulating qualities are energy-efficient, a key consideration for the island's environmental conditions.
As Arjen and Farah advocate for sustainable architecture, "TimberTropic," represents an innovative and an eco-friendly approach to construction, aligning with the growing global focus on sustainability in building design. "TimberTropic," also offers a unique flexibility – the solid wood slabs can be disassembled, packed, and relocated, enabling structures to be moved or repurposed as needed. This innovative building method has been successfully implemented in many parts of Europe, where it has been used to construct beautiful modern houses and even multi-story buildings, showcasing its versatility and effectiveness. TimberTropic is a collaboration between The Way We Build and Element buildings.
For Arjen and Farah, architecture is a collaborative journey. They believe in involving clients and the community in every step of the design process. "Our projects are conversations – with our clients, the community, and the environment," Farah states passionately.
Their goal in Aruba is bold yet simple: to inspire and implement sustainable building practices. They envision transforming traditional spaces, showcasing that sustainability and aesthetics can coexist harmoniously. They are not just architects, they are dream builders, turning sustainable visions into realities.
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