BOSS Management in the Built Environment | TU Delft

First Business Tour of the Year! As 2024 almost comes to an end, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the first Business Tour, organised by BOSS last month. On Thursday, 14th November, we set off on a two-day journey visiting four companies. We started close to home with a visit to the BPD | Bouwfonds Gebiedsontwikkeling office in Delft, just steps from the university. Here, we received an presentation of their structure, operations and projects. After tackling a case study in small groups, we presented our strategies in an area development case. Our second stop was Slotervaart, where Dev_ real estate showcased their redevelopment of the former Slotervaart Hospital. This ambitious project offered us panoramic views from its striking new 'crown'. After the tour we made our own redevelopment proposals, complete with financials and creative concepts. Friday morning began with a visit to SkaaL bouweconomisch adviesbureau whose expertise in building economics was evident during their case. Using an extensive Excel model, we gained valuable insights into project profitability and the various factors that influence the price of a development. After lunch, we wrapped up at CBRE’s Amsterdam office. The day’s final challenge? A dynamic negotiation exercise between tenant and landlord teams, blending strategy, collaboration and debate. This tour was an unforgettable experience, and we’re already counting down to the second edition in February. A huge thank you to all the companies for their time and interesting cases!

On the 8th of November, Philine Polman graduated from the track Management in the Built Environment (MBE) at the ‘Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment’. Her thesis, “Temporary housing in The Netherlands: The role of support in creating a successful housing strategy”, was awarded an 8. During her thesis, Philine did an internship at the Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties. The thesis examines how neighborhood support influences the success of temporary housing projects, with a focus on identifying characteristics and strategies to enhance this support. Through qualitative research, including interviews with professionals and residents, the thesis explores the factors that shape community attitudes. Findings indicate that while housing characteristics matter, communication and participation play a pivotal role in building local support. The complete thesis can be viewed via this link: https://lnkd.in/e_DihPa6 Philine was also an active member of BOSS. During her time, she did the Study Trip committee and the Education committee. As BOSS 32, we want to say a big thank you for everything she’s done and wish her all the best as she kicks off her career.

Het thema van het Vastgoedsymposium 2025 is bekend! Het thema ‘Inner City Impact’ staat centraal tijdens ons evenement, waar we dieper ingaan op de uitdagingen en kansen rondom stedelijke verdichting en vergroening. In een tijd waarin steden snel groeien, draait het niet alleen om efficiënte ruimtebenutting, maar ook om het creëren van een leefbare, groene en toekomstbestendige omgeving. Dit thema onderzoekt hoe stedelijke verdichting hand in hand kan gaan met duurzame vergroening en toekomstige mobiliteit. Hoe zorgen we ervoor dat stedelijke groei en bereikbaarheid samengaan met een gezonde leefomgeving? Tijdens dit evenement brengen we experts, beleidsmakers en visionairs samen om antwoorden te vinden op deze belangrijke vraag. Ontdek hoe we met ‘Inner City Impact’ de steden van morgen vormgeven, waar mobiliteit, groene innovatie en stedelijke ontwikkeling samenkomen voor een duurzamere toekomst. Sluit je aan op 21 maart 2025 voor een dag vol workshops, presentaties, 1-op-1 gesprekken met diverse bedrijven en inspirerende discussies. Het Vastgoedsymposium biedt jou de kans nieuwe bedrijven te leren kennen en wellicht wel een afstudeerplek of stageplek te vinden! Kom je ook? Zet 21 maart alvast in de agenda en hou de socials in de gaten voor de pre-sale aankondiging!

On the 29th of October, Sarah Meijer graduated from the track Management in the Built Environment (MBE) at the ‘Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment’. The thesis is titled “An Observational Perspective on Embedding Mental Health in Workplace Strategy: From Concept to Completion.” This research was written in collaboration with Brink | bouw, infra en vastgoed    Her thesis focused on the way in which present-day corporate businesses aim to incorporate the topic of Mental Health into their workplace stratgies and how this topic is cascaded across all levels of the organisation, all the way down to the physical workplace. The research uncovers a set of barriers and enablers of this process, and other insights for practice. Since november first, Sarah has joined Turner & Townsend, where she will kick off her career as a junior consultant in project management. Sarah was also an active member of BOSS. During her time, she did the Company Relations committee, the Lustrum committee and was Secretary of the 29th BOSS Board. As BOSS 32, we would like to thank her for her active involvement and wish her all the best at the start of her career!

We are excited to introduce the team behind the 31st Real Estate Career Day (RECD) of 2025! Meet our dedicated committee members (from left to right): Student Relations: Levi van Ginkel Treasurer: Casper van Kalken Logistics 1: Noor Zaat Chairwoman: Daphne van Noorden Logistics 2: Pim Goedkoop Marketing & Planning: Sanne Van Overveld Behind the scenes, we’re hard at work organizing an inspiring and unforgettable event. Stay tuned for updates on our LinkedIn and also follow our journey on the official RECD Instagram page — we can’t wait to share what’s coming!

On October 29th, Pina Koch graduated from the track Management in the Built Environment (MBE) at the ‘Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment’. Her thesis, ‘Investing in change: Exploring the financial feasibility of convertible office buildings’, was awarded a 9.   Pina studied the financial feasibility of the design of new office buildings for future residential conversion. The findings highlight a balance between higher initial costs and long-term benefits. Convertible buildings typically require greater upfront investment for features like increased floor-to-floor height and enhanced load-bearing capacity, raising construction costs and reducing space efficiency. However, their adaptability significantly lowers long-term vacancy risks, enabling favourable financing terms, lower vacancy rates, and reduced discount rates in DCF calculations, enhancing feasibility. Sustainability benefits, resulting from an extended building lifespan, such as higher exit values and rental premiums, may also contribute, though their practical realisation is debated. Sensitivity analysis shows convertible buildings can absorb up to a 108% increase in initial costs before matching the profitability of standard designs and remain more profitable if conversion costs stay below 25% of the initial investment. Notably, even without the realisation of the conversion, their reduced risk profile potentially outperforms standard designs. While financial feasibility depends on market conditions, regulations, and investor profiles, the research underscores their strategic advantage in reducing long-term investment risk. The complete thesis can be viewed via this link: https://lnkd.in/em5WeK-A Pina was active member of the BOSS community, where she did the Education committee. As BOSS 32, we would like to thank Pina for her active involvement and wish her well as she starts her career!

Last week we had the pleasure of embarking on our first theme day of the year. Aestate / ontrafelexperts walked us through their consultation project in collaboration with Erasmus MC. We had the opportunity to learn about the infrastructure that supports not only the operational side of such a large hospital, but also the renovation and expansion of such a complicated complex. Following the tour, we listened to more extensive presentations that explained all of the challenges encountered and how to overcome them, as well as a unique perspective on what it's like to work at a firm like Aestate. The theme day ended with a small borrel at the nearby museum park, which had a magnificent view of the depot and allowed us to answer all of our remaining questions. We are very grateful to Kirstin, Richard and Jetske for making this event possible.

On October 29th, Lyonne van der Vegte graduated from the Management in the Built Environment (MBE) track at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment with her thesis called: “Strengthening the social attachment in disadvantaged neighbourhoods: evaluating community involvement initiatives in the Netherlands.” We would like to congratulate her on this achievement. Her thesis focused on evaluating community involvement initiatives and their effects on the social attachment of disadvantaged neighborhoods. She interviewed various experts in Utrecht Overvecht to understand their perceptions of the most effective ways to increase social attachment. On November 1st, Lyonne began a two-year traineeship at TBI. Her first project involves the transformation of the former courthouse in Amsterdam into a museum of contemporary art at J.P. van Eesteren | TBI. She was an active member of the BOSS community. She did the Activities committee and was part of the BOSS board 30 where she was head of the Education committee. As BOSS 32, we would like to thank Lyonne for her active involvement and wish her well as she starts her career!

Meet the new BOSS Board 32! We are excited to introduce the newly appointed board for the BOSS Study Association for Management in the Built Environment at TU Delft. We look forward to the opportunities and experiences this year will bring! This year, we will once again host our business events, engaging activities and the Real Estate Career Day (RECD). In addition, we’re excited to introduce ‘Guiding Graduation’, an initiative aimed at connecting graduating students with companies offering graduation positions. If you're interested in partnering with BOSS, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to look at the opportunities together! The new board from left to right: Emma Schrauwen - Activities Peter Baarda - Secretary Dylan Schroevers - Treasurer Isis Bourgonjen - Education Daphne van Noorden - RECD Lászlo González Serrano - Chairman Thomas Beijk - Company Relations Inge van Soomeren - Study Trip

On the 20th of June, Tom Oskam graduated from the track Management in the Built Environment (MBE) at the ‘Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment’. His thesis, “Managing the real estate development paradox: developers’ management of the paradox between profitability and embodied carbon reduction“, was awarded an 8.5/10, and we would like to congratulate him on this achievement. He completed his thesis while performing an internship at NEOO. His thesis addresses the critical challenge of balancing profitability with embodied carbon reduction in the real estate sector. It explores how financial factors influence developers' decisions and provides practical frameworks to guide the industry towards environmentally friendly and profitable building projects. This research is crucial for reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry while promoting sustainable development. Tom has been an active member of the BOSS community. He was the company relations of BOSS board 30. We would like to thank Tom for his active involvement and wish him all the best with the rest of her career.