Who we are
We deliver concepts and strategies for resilient, just, and inspiring cities, companies, governance, and industry. We activate this by bringing together private and public partners and guide them towards systemic and fundamental improvement, where all stakeholders benefit in the short and long term. We're driven to bring each project the benefit of experience of over 20 years, in 600 projects, on 4 continents.
To face the challenge of true sustainable development, we curate a team of 30 experts combining science, design, and business intelligence.
We use innovative systemic analysis to research the challenge, apply business intelligence to develop road maps towards resilience. We then execute solutions with inspiring design, together with carefully selected partners. In this way, we bridge gaps between sectors to accelerate the frontier of sustainability, and create groundbreaking concepts that are both realistic and feasible.
A global team for a global challenge
We’re a passionate, practical, and dynamic team, known for our interdisciplinary and innovative approach. Our team works around the world, with our base in Utrecht, the Netherlands. In Utrecht, we built our own office in a listed heritage building that we made a world-first in energy neutral, circular , and toxin-free construction.
SiD Systems thinking framework
We develop and apply the Symbiosis in Development (SiD) systems-thinking framework. SiD sheds light on complex challenges, speeds up strategic decisionmaking, and applies dynamic analysis and visualization tools. SiD incorporates areas such as the circular and bio-based economy, iterative design, social justice, and crowd-based development.
Working from idea to implementation
We guide our projects from beginning to succesful implementation. We work in multi-disciplinary teams, led by experienced process managers,. involving stakeholders along the way. This way, we realize concepts that have greater positive impact while reducing costs and lead times for stakeholders. We work according to stringent operational principles, sustainability and ethics guidelines, and a commitment to delivering on time, within budget, and with impact beyond expectation.
Knowledge sharing
We believe we need both profitable business and effective government to create the foundations for a sustainable society, as well as support from people globally. To accelerate this, we help develop awareness by sharing our knowledge in seminars, publications, workshops. Our work is shared using open source licenses wherever possible, and all available knowledge is published on this website in depth.
Company structure
The Except Group is spearheaded by the Except Integrated Sustainability Foundation, a certified non-profit registered in the Netherlands. The foundation manages our guidelines, the development of SiD, and safeguards our knowledge for public access. The foundation also launches independent projects and launches spin-offs.
Client projects are managed by the Except Integrated Sustainability B.V, a platform without a profit motive. The platform ensures quality and continuity. Projects are exectued through our international network of certified and comitted sustainability professionals; the Exceptionals.
Our impact in 2016
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Clients & Partners
Partners
Clients
Contact Information
info@except.nl
+31 30 307 5734
Or choose someone to contact directly here.
Contact Hours
Monday-Thursday: 10:00 – 18:00
Friday: Time for reflection
Offices & Visiting
Except Integrated Sustainability
2e Daalsedijk 6A
3551 EJ Utrecht
the Netherlands
Our head office is located in our self-developed center for sustainable entrepreneurship, the Utrecht Community (UCo), a sustainably renovated listed heritage train depot.
Visiting with public transport (recommended)
- Our office is about 12 minutes walking from Utrecht CS trainstation. Walk through the Noordertunnel for a faster route.
- Taking the OV bike from Utrecht CS takes about 5 minutes.
- Bus 120 and 3 also stop near our office. Get out at stop 'Viaduct'. From there it's a 3 minute walk (busplanner).
Visiting with a car
Our office is easily reachable from any point with the car. There's ample parking space free of charge around the office.