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Reuse of existing buildings

Reuse of existing buildings is more urgent now than ever! It provides opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of building substantially and to preserve cultural heritage. Fortunately, we see an increasing shift in the appreciation of existing buildings and materials, partly due to rising prices for raw materials, supplies and energy. Unoccupied buildings and changed user needs require more adaptivity. We use our broad expertise and experience to guide clients through renovations or transformations to future-proof buildings.

Reuse of existing buildings, Binnenhof

Using research in design

To renovate and/or repurpose a building is a knowledge-intensive task. At an early stage, we need to evaluate the qualities and performance of an existing building and its elements. We use our knowledge of materials, construction techniques and processes. While respecting the monument, we like to design appropriate sustainability interventions with an eye for detail, desired comfort and use. Through a correct approach, the potential of the existing building can be optimally utilised and balanced with your ambitions. We call this approach ‘Using research in design’.

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Within the existing built environment, multidisciplinary teamwork is crucial. Especially in unique projects with a high technical profile or buildings with a monumental status. By research, analysis, calculating power, creativity and cooperation, we can develop concepts and solutions from various perspectives and put them into practice. We gladly seek cooperation with project team partners including architects.

Methods and instruments

We use various in-house developed methods and instruments for our advice. These include our quick scan, which provides a fast and methodical insight into the opportunities, possibilities and consequences for retrofitting and sustainability. With the aid of our circularity tool, we map out which elements in an existing building have the potential for reuse. The EIM tool calculates the environmental impact of our designs so that we can steer towards sustainable solutions. Where necessary, we will apply BIM models in a broad manner, from visualisation to operation.

Nieuwe ABT-uitgave: Bestaande Gebouwen Toekomstbestendig

Projects

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Ahoy Rotterdam

Ahoy Rotterdam

Ahoy Rotterdam

On behalf of Hart van Zuid vof, a collaboration between Heijmans and Ballast Nedam, ABT provided structural advice for the upgrade of the exhibition halls of Ahoy Rotterdam and the construction of the new conference center.
Anne Frank Huis

Anne Frank House

Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and ABT have undergone remarkable growth over the past twenty years. What began in 1999 as an expansion to accommodate 500,000 visitors annually now results in a collaboration that can host twice as many guests.
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.
Hoofdkantoor dsm-firmenich

dsm-firmenich headquarters redevelopment

dsm-firmenich headquarters redevelopment

In this special project by real estate developers EDGE and 3W real estate, the former Euroscoop and national monument De Ambachtsschool are being redeveloped into a sustainable and innovative office building.
Hof in de Egelantier

Hof in de Egelantier

Hof in de Egelantier

The Rijksmonument Hof in de Egelantier in Haarlem is getting a new lease on life as a boutique hotel and cultural venue. ABT is providing advice on building physics, acoustics, fire safety, and sustainability. The project is a challenging mix of appreciating historical features, designing careful interventions, and the ambition to achieve an A+ sustainability rating.
POST Rotterdam

POST Rotterdam

POST Rotterdam

The POST Rotterdam project in the heart of the city center involves the renovation of one of the city’s most important historical buildings; the former main post office. Together with the adjacent town hall, it is one of the few buildings that remained standing after the bombing at the beginning of World War II. After a long period of vacancy, the national monument is now being fully restored.
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.
Reuse of existing buildings, Binnenhof

Renovation of the Binnenhof

Renovation of the Binnenhof

The large-scale renovation of the Binnenhof, home of the Dutch parliament is underway. The heart of our democracy is being adapted to the demands of the new era. Commissioned by the Central Government Real Estate Agency, ABT is providing the structural, geotechnical and engineering design for the building parts of the Council of State, and the structural and geotechnical design for the building parts of the Senate.
Shell C30 renovatie

Shell campus: sustainability and renovation C30

Shell campus: sustainability and renovation C30

The C30 building is a national monument of 25,000m² GLA. The original building dates back to 1916, the extensions to 1928 and 1929. Originally part of Shell's headquarters, it is now part of the Shell Campus The Hague. Between 2018 and 2022, the building was renovated and made more sustainable. An intensive process requiring a high level of ambition. Throughout the implementation process, ABT served as Architect of Record for Shell.
Het Mauritshuis

The Mauritshuis

The Mauritshuis

The Mauritshuis, with its paintings such as Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson, is a major tourist attraction in The Hague. Commissioned by the Royal Cabinet of Paintings Mauritshuis The Hague Foundation, Hans van Heeswijk Architects designed a spacious underground entrance hall that connects the Mauritshuis with the building opposite on the Plein.

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.

Transformation of Hoog Lindoduin

Transformation of Hoog Lindoduin

The residential building Hoog Lindoduin was subjected to a major renovation and sustainability project commissioned by Vestia. The 182-unit gallery apartment was made gas-free and the living plan, comfort, sound insulation, fire safety and aesthetic appearance were greatly improved. The building was stripped down to the existing 1963 concrete shell, but the main load-bearing structure remained intact. ABT was integral technical consultant.