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User comfort

Whether a building is sustainable and comfortable depends on many different factors. ABT will look at the full spectrum. Sustainability issues such as energy use, materials, circularity, catering and mobility are critical in our designs. But the most important aspect is user comfort. A building must be seamless to its function. This may be very generic like a flexible office building and very specific like a theatre or museum. It is truly durable when it is used frequently and with great pleasure.

Bouwfysica, akoestiek en brandveiligheid

Specific buildings

For specific buildings, the function remains the same over many years. There are few changes. This makes a different approach to material use and its circularity. The materials chosen have a long lifespan and will be completely used up. The spaces and associated facilities are tailored to the users and fully optimized.

Museum of Contemporary Art

The new Museum of Contemporary Art in Amsterdam will be designed to last 150 years. All choices are made integrally across the entire life span. We carefully considered the construction for each building section and we mapped the embodied energy, energy use and operation.

Generic buildings

For generic buildings, we take a very different approach. We know that the use of office properties changes at least every 10 years, so there is no sense in creating a fixed minimum installation concept. By adopting modular, generic solutions, we enable flexible (re)use and realize increased comfort.

Amsterdam District Court

In the new Amsterdam District Court, air is distributed through large air ducts that form a ring. The ring can be connected to throughout the building. The ring is the same size all around. So the capacity is adequate everywhere. When something changes in the building, the air system is not disrupted and the entire building remains comfortable. The system has a simple but very effective, user-friendly control. The same principle was applied in the new Science Campus Leiden building.

Usable, sustainable and comfortable buildings require careful thinking about use and smart engineering. Now and in the future.

Want to know more about user comfort in an existing or new building? Contact one of our specialists.

 

Projects

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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!

Science Campus phase 2A – Gorlaeus building Leiden University

Science Campus phase 2A – Gorlaeus building Leiden University

An inspiring building on the Science Campus where students and teachers feel comfortable and at ease. That is the Gorlaeus building at the Leiden Bio Science Park. The building of Leiden University has now been expanded with a new section, Science Campus phase 2A.

Wisperweide

Wisperweide

A design that fulfills exceptionally high sustainability ambitions. This is the newly to be developed Wisperweide in Weesp, the first school to be realized within the Innovation Partnership School Buildings Amsterdam. The school building is Paris Proof, detachable, and biobased. It is an example of the circular ambitions of the municipality of Amsterdam. ABT was closely involved in the development of the applied HoutKern Construction Method.
De Droogbak

Renovation De Droogbak

Renovation De Droogbak

The majestic building De Droogbak is a real eye-catcher. It is also situated in an absolute prime location, directly west of Amsterdam’s Central Station. This beautiful 19th-century office building underwent a remarkable makeover in just a year and a half. ABT provided comprehensive construction and technical advice.

Renovation Ca-building Erasmus Medisch Centrum

Renovation Ca-building Erasmus Medisch Centrum

The renovation of the Ca-building was complex in several ways: due to the existing infrastructure, the phased renovation where the building remained partially in use 24/7, and its constrained location. ABT was involved as a technical designer from the design phase through specifications and tendering. Additionally, we played the role of construction manager and principal supervisor from execution preparation to completion and aftercare.

World Trade Center Utrecht

World Trade Center Utrecht

With the completion of the new World Trade Center (WTC), the skyline of Utrecht has been further expanded. A large-scale redevelopment of the station area created space for a WTC at the renewed Jaarbeursplein, right next to Utrecht Central Station. ABT was involved as a structural engineer in this showpiece in the heart of the city.

Erasmus Medisch Centrum

Erasmus Medisch Centrum

For more than 8 years, extensive efforts have been made on the new state-of-the-art university hospital with an area of 207,000 m². On the site of the existing hospital, a completely new Erasmus MC has been realized where care, research, and education come together. ABT worked as the technical designer on behalf of EGM architects bv and was responsible for construction management.