Circular pavilion floats

Galvanized steel can make a positive contribution to circular building solutions. Galvanized steel structures have a long life and, if dismantled, are highly suitable for reuse. A great example of a sustainable and circular building is the Leeuwarden Energy Knowledge Center. The building is located on the former waste mountain Skinkeskâns and serves as a landmark for the new Energy Campus.

Knowledge center on landfill

Building on a landfill is a challenge. Therefore, a light building was chosen that floats, so to speak, on a foundation of 108 galvanized steel columns. To distribute the load as evenly as possible, the steel foundation columns are attached to a grid of galvanized steel beams under the first floor. In addition, the foundation columns are adjustable in height so that any subsidence of the ground can be accommodated.

Good communication: better prevention than cure

"The steel structure was supplied by construction company K. Stok & Zn. The steel columns, beams and stairs were hot-dip galvanized by Rotocoat. The Cradle-to-Cradle certified steel wall gratings, platform gratings and deck gratings used in and around the building were also hot-dip galvanized by Rotocoat," says Klaas Bergsma, commercial director of Rotocoat.

Rotocoat had ongoing discussions with the steel fabricator about the dimensions of the steel structure and where the holes needed to be. "Since the entire steel structure is visible, we carefully discussed how we could best double dip the columns. Of course, you don't want the seam created by the double-dipping process to visually interfere."

Up to 30 years warranty on galvanization

"Because the building had to be light, the choice of steel and wood was obvious. The choice of hot-dip galvanizing was also obvious," Bergsma said. "For more than 150 years, the natural marriage between steel and zinc has proven that there is no better way to protect steel from corrosion. That's why we offer up to a 30-year warranty on galvanizing within the Benelux. Rotocoat is reliable, fast and offers certainty. It is reassuring for our clients to be able to count on our guarantee for 30 years. And when the building is finally dismantled, the entire steel construction can be unscrewed for reuse in another building. Now that's sustainable and circular!"