Energy knowledge center Leeuwarden

The Leeuwarden Energy Knowledge Center is a light building built with a studded foundation on the former waste storage facility Skinkeskâns. The sustainable and circularly built pavilion serves as a landmark for the new Energy Campus.

The circular pavilion with a high central space connects to the entrance at the front and the main hall at the back. This offers a beautiful view of the polder landscape. The central strip is the heart of the building, forming a connection with the surroundings with its opening facades. On either side of that central axis are the offices. On one side is Ekwadraat, on the other Royal Oosterhof Holman. Together they form the client for this building. The central strip is used daily as lunch and/or meeting space for both companies. It also lends itself perfectly to presentations, exhibitions and training courses.

Hot-dip galvanizing

Bart Cilissen of Achterbosch Architects: "We deliberately chose hot-dip galvanizing instead of powder coating, so that you stay as pure as possible with the material. You also make circularity visible this way; people are initially surprised that the steel is not painted, but when you tell them the story behind it they are immediately on board. By the way, it was quite a challenge to convince the contractor. He only wanted to powder-coat the steel inside the building, because he thought it would be a lot cheaper. But when I went on to ask, he compared single layer powder coating with a duplex system (galvanizing + powder coating). Yes, then of course you start comparing apples to oranges. I explained to him that I couldn't think of any reason why we should apply a color to the galvanized steel inside or outside. I like that gray hue, which fits perfectly with the aging wood of the slatted facade. Moreover, we also had intensive and structural consultations with the residents in the neighboring village, who feared that this building would rise like a kind of lantern on top of the mound. That is why we opted for a wooden facade that ages with time. The galvanized steel reflects to some extent a light or dark day and absorbs the color of the surroundings. Hot-dip galvanizing was deliberately chosen instead of powder coating, so that you stay as pure as possible with the material." For more information visit: www.zekerzink.com