Project detailsx

Client: Trebbe Bouw Oost & Noord
Location: Zwolle, Netherlands
Year: 2012
Surface: 5650 m2
Material: Glass & composite
Specifics: 3300 triangular windows, of which the glasswork is structurally glued. The composite façade elements are fitted with composite doors, in which the pattern of the windows continues. Only a seam and door handle shows the difference in relation to the façade. Elements are self-standing elements that support the foundation, RC value 8. Exterior and interior finish was such tigth that after installation no further finishing was required.

The Hogeschool Windesheim Zwolle is better known as Building X and it was voted BNA building of the year in 2011.

Architect Broekbakema came up with a building with a lot of light. The facade does not refer to the use of the building but has its own expression. For daylighting and other building-physical aspects, a façade with a glass percentage of 50% proved ideal.

By using triangular glass (3300 pieces) that is structurally glued directly into the structural sandwich façade, the building appears to be maximally transparent, while the glass percentage nevertheless remains at the building physically ideal value. The composite facade has a relatively low weight and a high insulation value (RC = 8).

Some façade elements are fitted with composite doors, in which the pattern of the windows runs through. Only a seam and door handle shows the difference in relation to the façade.

The composite façade elements are self-standing elements that support the foundation. The exterior and interior finish was such that no further finishing needed after assembly.

The structural composite façade elements have dimensions of 12.5 x 3.5 m with a thickness of 300 mm. Total facade surface 5,650 m². These large dimensions have saved a lot of assembly / labor costs, and made an efficient construction of the façade possible.

Development, production, transport and assembly by Holland Composites.