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Façade engineering

When considering the health and experience of the user in a new way, we can create more beautiful and sustainable façades. A sensory transition between inside and outside rather than a hard barrier. This requires vision and boldness. ABT advises clients in the development and realization of pioneering façade solutions.

Climate adaptation at The Natural Pavilion

Conflicting interests such as fire safety versus sustainability require well-considered choices. In setting the course, we feel we can draw on our vast experience. We are not guided by limitations, but rather focus on possibilities. Our analytical ability, supported by advanced, digital simulations, will realize ambitious façade solutions within the original task.

ARC21 Architectuur Award voor Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
© Ossip van Duivenbode

Parametric approach

If we take Depot Boijmans van Beuningen as an example, we succeeded in intertwining architecture and façade technology. Uninterrupted reflection of the environment requires precise design. The close tolerances and properties of double-curved glass are matched to the coarser dimensions of the concrete rear structure. Our parametric approach gave the architect the freedom to refine the design in a late stage.

Circular façade

Designing with residual value is by now our second nature. Where can we reuse materials? Or apply new materials in such a way that they retain value? This is where our knowledge of bio-based materials and circular and modular systems come in.

The challenges in The Natural Pavilion at Floriade were very special. An air conditioning system for this building proved unnecessary due to the use of a natural ventilation concept. In addition, we applied recycled glass.

© Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee

Second life for façade

Keep all that is good, and renew or improve only what is needed. By conducting early feasibility studies for existing buildings, we help our clients make the right sustainable choices. Good examples are the Earth Simulation Laboratory Utrecht or the Columbus Building Schiphol .

Portfolio

We are proud of our portfolio of appealing façade projects. In the top architectural designs of Naturalis and Forum Groningen, our passion and contribution in terms of façade technology played an important role in the feasibility and viability of the ambitions.

Experiments

At ABT, we love experiments. They often start off with a simple question or idea (Can you weld glass?). Sometimes the question is complex, as with the Crystal Houses Amsterdam project.

 

Image The Natural Pavilion: © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee

Image Depot Boijmans van Beuningen: © Ossip van Duivenbode

Projects with façade engineering

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Amphia Hospital

Amphia Hospital

The Amphia Hospital in Breda received the key to the new building location at Molengracht in 2021. ABT advised on the construction, foundation, and excavation, and monitored the structural construction costs.

Amsterdam Court

Amsterdam Court

The new court in Amsterdam merges three worlds, which at the same time are to operate strictly separated: the judiciary, the detainees and the visitors. As partner of consortium NACH (New Amsterdam Court House), ABT signed on to design, build, finance, maintain and operate this imposing building on Parnassusweg in Amsterdam. It takes partnership to build an icon!
Bajeskwartier © BKO

Bajeskwartier

Bajeskwartier

An inspiring neighborhood with homes, a school, offices, and restaurants on the site of the former ‘Bijlmerbajes’ prison. The prison consisted of six high towers connected by a 280-meter-long corridor. In 2016, the prison closed its doors, and the plan for urban redevelopment was made. Since 2018, ABT has been working with BAM Advies & Engineering as structural and geotechnical advisors on eight of the sixteen buildings.
Art and culture

Depot Boijmans van Beuningen

Depot Boijmans van Beuningen

In November 2021, His Majesty the King opened the Valhalla of Art and Collection Management: Boijmans van Beuningen Depot. All 151,000 objects accessible to the public in one location and under one roof. A world first! Our façade consultants assisted MVRDV to find the best construction method for the spectacular façade. In addition, we supported the structural engineering of the entire building.

Forum Groningen

Forum Groningen

Forum Groningen is an iconic cultural complex consisting of eleven floors. Below the building is a five basement parking garage consisting of approximately four hundred parking spaces and 1,500 bicycle parking spaces. ABT played an important role in realizing the principles of the architectural concept.
Museum aan de Stroom

Museum aan de Stroom

Museum aan de Stroom

The surprising design by Neutelings Riedijk Architects consists of a stack of 10 concrete boxes, each rotated a quarter turn relative to the one below. The space outside the boxes functions as a public gallery, offering a unique and constantly changing view over Antwerp and leading to a rooftop restaurant. Columns or other structural elements were not allowed to obstruct the view or the illusion of the floating boxes.

Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Naturalis Biodiversity Center

An iconic museum building, its façade designed and modelled so that concrete appears silky smooth. Commissioned by Neutelings Riedijk Architects, ABT provided the architectural design, construction management, 3D digitization and technical design of Naturalis' unique façade. The concrete relief sculptures were designed by Iris van Herpen.
Rabobank Utrecht

Rabobank Utrecht

Rabobank Utrecht

The headquarters of Rabobank in Utrecht has undergone extensive renovation and sustainability improvements. Originally, the building consisted of two practically independent towers that were to be connected only by a few walkways. From a structural point of view, this proved to be impractical. In both towers, a lot of space would be lost to the necessary additional stabilizing elements.
Renovatie Huis van Roosendaal

Renovation HUIS van Roosendaal

Renovation HUIS van Roosendaal

The municipality of Roosendaal wants to demonstrate that it stands for a ‘green’ municipality. The much-needed renovation of the existing city hall from the 1970s was the perfect opportunity to pull out all the stops and showcase this green ambition. The end result is an accessible, transparent, and above all, sustainable HOUSE of Roosendaal.
UNStudio / gemeente Nijmegen

Revitalization of the Valkhof Museum

Revitalization of the Valkhof Museum

The Valkhof Museum in Nijmegen is being renovated. The building and the presentations of the collections will receive a future-proof and contemporary look. Many parts of the building require technical interventions due to changes in use, comfort, and security. ABT, working as an integral technical advisor, is closely collaborating with architect UNStudio on the design of the new museum.

Taipei Performing Arts Centre

Taipei Performing Arts Centre

ABT was involved as a structural façade engineer in the theater complex TPAC, the Taipei Performing Arts Centre in Taipei, Taiwan. On behalf of and in close collaboration with OMA by Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten, ABT developed this fascinating façade structure.
Climate adaptation at The Natural Pavilion

The Natural Pavilion

The Natural Pavilion

In The Natural Pavilion, ABT and a consortium of nearly 20 Dutch companies have shown that it is possible to build fully circular, bio-based, energy-neutral houses, schools and offices on an industrial scale and in close connection with nature.

Transformation Earth Simulation Lab (ESL)

Transformation Earth Simulation Lab (ESL)

ABT was involved in the unique transformation of the Earth Simulation Lab (ESL). Designed by the ABT & Barcode Architects team, the ESL, part of the Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University, represents a large-scale renovation of the Robert J. van de Graaff Laboratory at Utrecht Science Park. The building brings together previously dispersed research groups from the faculty into a single location.

Our specialists

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Aris Baan

Fire safety consultant
Diana de Krom

Diana de Krom

Circular constructions project manager
Erwin ten Brinke

Erwin ten Brincke

Structural designer
Gertjan Peters

Gertjan Peters

Façades & glass consultant
Kanter Eefting

Kanter Eefting

Fire safety specialist

Kars Haarhuis

Structural Engineering Manager
Marco van der Ploeg

Marco van der Ploeg

Consultant

Paressa Loussos

Building physics and acoustics manager
Raymond Verkade

Raymond Verkade

Construction designer

Rowan van Wely

Senior advisor
Ronald Wenting

Ronald Wenting

Lead structural engineering consultant
Tom Huizer

Tom Huizer

Architectural designer