Houtlab Nieuwkuijk
| In collaboration with | Spee Architecten and Adviesbureau Lüning |
| Location | Nieuwkuijk |
| Project scope | 2,000 m2 |
| Expertises | |
Houtlab houses parties involved in timber construction and circularity. There is a separate space for the processing and production of wood-related (construction) products such as CLT and HSB elements, also suitable for training in the field of circularity and timber construction.
Fire safety and CLT
The fire compartmentalization of the building is designed in such a way that the openness of the building is not lost. CLT has specific fire behavior and a high fire load. Therefore, in the escape stairwell, the CLT is covered with (non-combustible) gypsum boards.
The building is equipped with wooden Fraké cladding. The structure/detailing of the façade package has been examined to meet the required fire class.
Sound and CLT
CLT is a lightweight material and therefore easily transmits sound and vibrations. To block sound, a floating screed with concrete has been applied on the CLT.
In the workshop, a metal stud partition wall with high sound insulation was chosen. To limit the transmission of vibrations from machines, the floor between the workshop and office area has been dilated. The crane in the workshop is ‘detached’ from the building. Colleagues from Adviesbureau Lüning have conducted measurements to better understand the vibration behavior of the floors.
Because the building is located next to the highway, the HSB façade has been made heavier to improve sound insulation.
Circular and responsible materials
The building incorporates as many circular and/or responsible materials as possible. Many of the acoustic materials used are recycled or biobased. The concrete floor on the ground level contains Freegravel and steel fibers, significantly reducing CO2 emissions compared to a regular concrete floor. The steel braces in the workshop are made of circular steel, and circular sandwich panels have been used here. The MPG material performance score is 0.497 €/m² GFA/year.
Installations
The building is heated and cooled via a heat pump system and has balanced ventilation with heat recovery. The security systems are wireless, reducing material usage and making fewer cables visible. The building also includes smart building components, including lighting.
A first for Houtlab!
On June 11, 2024, Houtlab became the first building in the world to receive a certificate for Construction Stored Carbon (CSC). This certificate provides insight into the amount of CO2 stored in a structure, which for Houtlab is about 391,000 kilos. Read all about it here.