From Sustainability to Integrated Solutions

Before joining the Joosten IDeA team, both Dinne and Joshua worked at various companies where sustainability was already a top priority. “At the time, Joshua and I were focused on almost a single product,” Dinne explains. “But we always felt there was more possible. The opportunity to now work in a dynamic environment where we can offer concepts, advice, and integrated solutions was one we couldn’t pass up. We have both always been very conscious of our environment and footprint, and this fits perfectly with that.”

An impactful meeting

Dinne de Koning, who lives in Middelburg, made a similar transition. “After working for years at a German company in the hygiene sector, I started at Joosten Groep. Youri Dirne (Director of IDeA) and I began on the same day and quickly connected over our shared views on sustainability,” Dinne explains. Through this connection, Youri also became a consultant at IDeA.

Joshua Nahafahik lives in Moordrecht with his girlfriend and dog. After working at Plant-E, a company that generated electricity from plants, he came into contact with Joosten Groep. “Things moved pretty quickly,” Joshua recalls. “From his time at Plant-E, he immediately saw this was a serious company with a clear mission.” Since July 1, 2024, Joshua has been a consultant at IDeA.

A team of advisors

At Joosten Groep, the team is close-knit and strongly connected. “Our projects come from various sources, and when needed, we proactively take the initiative to find solutions. Sometimes we are bound by specifications or specific requirements, but we always take a proactive role in addressing questions and developments within the Infra, Water, and Green sectors,” says Joshua. “Dinne and I are often the first point of contact for our clients, ensuring that the right people are involved in each project. Whether it’s matching the right partners or bringing in one of our own specialists, we always collaborate to achieve the desired result.”

But what exactly does IDeA do?

“IDeA stands for Innovation, Sustainability, and Advice,” Joshua explains. “We are a team of specialists and innovative thinkers focused on Infra, Water, and Green sectors. Our technical experts go out on site to support clients with their projects.” Dinne adds, “We are often the first point of contact, and inquiries come from many directions — sometimes externally, other times we seek them out ourselves. It’s about connecting the right people and expertise to create optimal solutions.”

Fit-for-purpose solutions

“At IDeA, we aim to apply the right solution in the right place,” says Joshua. “You can do the same thing everywhere, but if a different solution fits the problem better, that’s what we choose. That’s the core of what we do at IDeA.” Dinne emphasizes collaboration: “Innovation often happens through discussion. Together with partners, we develop tailor-made solutions — it’s about working together on solutions that truly make a difference and have a positive impact on our living environment.” Joshua adds, “We don’t believe every new invention will change the world, but we know our contribution will make an impact. That keeps us motivated and makes our work worthwhile every day. We share knowledge and build bridges.”

Success on multiple fronts

A prime example of IDeA’s work is a project on Admiraal de Ruijterstraat in Roosendaal. Here, they recently worked on a climate-adaptive tree growth site combined with a stormwater management system. This project, executed in collaboration with the municipality of Roosendaal and Geo Infra, demonstrates how innovative solutions can improve urban rainwater management while also enhancing the greening of the streetscape.

The Roosendaal project tackles challenges of extreme rainfall and prolonged drought periods by using secondary materials and smart designs. By infiltrating stormwater locally instead of directly discharging it into the sewer system, the pressure on the sewer is reduced. Meanwhile, the water is optimally used by the surrounding greenery. This system not only helps maintain groundwater levels but also combats the urban heat island effect, making urban areas cooler and more livable. In this way, Joosten Groep combines efficient water management with sustainable urban development, where the use of recycled materials also reduces the ecological footprint of the project.

Working towards the future

Joshua and Dinne see their work as a constant pursuit of improvement. “We work both from our office in Schiedam and on-site at clients’ locations,” says Dinne. “It’s about being flexible and always searching for new, better ways to approach projects.” Joshua adds, “No two days are the same, and that makes our work so dynamic and inspiring.”

A look ahead

What do they hope for the future of IDeA? “It’s clear we won’t be changing all of the Netherlands’ infrastructure at once,” Dinne says. “But we can steer where things are going.” “There is a growing demand for innovative and sustainable solutions, and we are ready to take on that challenge.”

At IDeA, it’s all about progress. Whether developing new applications or working on sustainable solutions, Joshua and Dinne show that innovation, sustainability, and advice go hand in hand. They agree on one thing: we owe it to future generations to leave the world a little better than we found it.