Organically Rounded and Fully Recyclable

// In most commercial developments, architectural demands tend to be modest. That’s what makes this project in the Dutch town of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht so remarkable. Located just 10 kilometres northwest of Dordrecht, the newly developed “Ambachtsezoom” business park spans around 15 hectares - and is the Netherlands’ first and only fully energy-neutral and recyclable commercial area. Buildings here are designed to consume no more energy than they generate, and every material used can be completely dismantled and repurposed.

High-Impact Architecture

At the northern edge, adjacent to a greenbelt and the A16 motorway connecting to Antwerp and Rotterdam, stands a standout new office building designed by EVA architects for PCS Building Automation. Characteristic of the slightly elevated design is its organically rounded floor plan combined with the elegantly curved glass façade, which partially recesses the upper floor. The design is further dynamised by the projecting floor strips clad with bronze-painted aluminium elements, which vary in depth depending on their orientation and thus also serve as sun protection.

Functional aesthetics – Floor strips as sun protection

Inside, the building offers open-plan office space across two floors. PCS occupies the upper level with 40 employees, while the lower level is still to be leased. The consistent use of wood combined with floor-to-ceiling glazing ensures a bright and light-filled ambience in all areas. The space is complemented by an underground garage with 26 parking spaces and an attractively landscaped roof garden above the first floor. The main roof will also be used as a location for a photovoltaic system with 216 solar panels, each measuring 1.95 m², and a total output of approximately 90 kWp.

Wooden Column and Beam Construction

To minimise the carbon footprint, the main structure of the wood-hybrid building consists of a wooden column and beam construction, as well as walls and floors made of CLT. Stability is achieved through a concrete core. A freely divisible floor plan with a total area of 1,600 square meters is created around this core, with a lockable podium with a grandstand staircase for consultations and presentations located in the centre. "The sustainability balance is further optimized by the integration of energy-saving building technology, which ultimately ensures that the building operates in an energy-positive manner, producing more energy than it ultimately consumes," explains project architect Maarten Terberg. "In addition, the building, with the exception of the parking garage, is completely dismantled. This applies to the main load-bearing structure as well as the glass facade and all building services." Furthermore, materials such as PVC, adhesives, sealants, or polyurethane foam were avoided, and no composite products were used. To implement this goal, all materials used are documented in a materials pass.

The renewable raw material wood is ideally suited for circular construction and also ensures a high quality of life and a pleasant room atmosphere.

Circular Roof Waterproofing

The planning and implementation of the roof structure also placed stringent demands on circularity: "It was crucial that the roof waterproofing used be loose-laid or mechanically fastened and not contain any toxic components," explains Maarten Terberg. "Additionally, the waterproofing of the main roof beneath the PV modules had to be white or light gray to ensure maximum effectiveness of the photovoltaic modules used." Based on these strict specifications, white SURE-WELD® TPO/FPO membranes from CARLISLE® were used on the main roof covered with photovoltaic modules, and HERTALAN® EPDM membranes from CARLISLE® were chosen for the green roof areas – each in combination with mechanical fastening via induction welding. Both waterproofing systems are completely pollutant-free and, in the spirit of a circular economy, can be easily removed and reused elsewhere.

As part of the implementation, commissioned by Nieuwenhuizen Daktechniek, 160 mm thick insulation was first installed above the wooden ceiling structure on all roof surfaces. The 16 mm gradient ensures reliable rainwater drainage. Directly above this, on the 800 square meter main roof, white SURE-WELD® TPO/FPO membranes were laid and mechanically secured with screws. The single-layer plastic waterproofing membrane is exceptionally weather- and aging-resistant; the choice of white membranes also provides welcome reflective cooling, thus enabling increased performance of the solar modules subsequently mounted on the roof surface.

The PV system mounted on the main roof and the surrounding green roof areas complete the circular concept of this building.

Green Roof Benefits

Hertalan® EPDM membranes were used above the sloped insulation for the green roof above the first floor and for the 50-centimeter-wide green strip around the ground and first floors. These membranes were mechanically attached to the roof surface using induction welding. The fasteners consist of a screw, a grommet, and a specially coated retaining plate, which is permanently and securely bonded to the roof waterproofing using the induction welding process.

Finally, the substrate for the sedum and herb mixtures was applied. The green roof not only further improves the building's insulation, it also creates a welcome biological compensation area that attracts bees, butterflies, and other insects. In addition, employees can enjoy the view of the greenery from their workstations.

Robert Uhde

Project: Bürogebäude „Omega“

Location: Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht (NL)

Client: PCS Automation, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht (NL)

Design: EVA architecten, Utrecht

Construction company: Van Baaren Aannemers, Schoonhoven (NL)

Roofing work: Nieuwenhuizen Daktechniek B.V., Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht (NL)

Gross floor area: 1600 m²

Completion: 2023