Van-Spaendonck-Ondernemingshuis, The Netherlands
13 september 2021
Project: Van-Spaendonck-Ondernemingshuis, Tilburg | The Netherlands
Architect: cepezed, Delft | The Netherlands
Fabricator: Cofac, Ede | The Netherlands
Installer: Robertson | The Netherlands
Façade System: Tray panels special design
Year of Construction: 2016
Product: ALUCOBOND® PLUS naturAL Line
Photos: Lucas van der Wee
REPETITION AND RENOVATION
In the renovated headquarters of the Dutchmanagement consultancy, Van Spaendonck,repetition is indeed, an attempt to replicate thepast in the Kierkegaardian sense. In this case,the refurbishment project carried out by architectsat cepezed preserved the characteristicmodern architecture of the West Tilburg district. The original planwas to demolish the old concrete building, asit was in such disrepair and its energy efficiencylevel very poor due to long-span concrete floorslabs and steel windows. However, as the architectswanted to retain the distinctive characterof the area, they developed a means of renovatingthe core and creating a modular façade.This new frontage observes the original proportionsof the post-war modernist building and stillcomplies with contemporary energy standards. To achieve this, the architects removed the oldconcrete façade elements from the reinforcedconcrete skeleton construction and designed aprefabricated façade featuring window bandsand ALUCOBOND® PLUS tray panels. The colourof these naturAL Line panels is similar towarm concrete tones. The tray panels, however,have the advantage of being lightweight andslender; they are also resistant to weatheringand provide excellent rear insulation. Thanks tothe repeating pattern on all storeys, the completefaçade could be mass produced and prefabricatedbefore its installation in front of thereinforced concrete floor slabs. So, a new shellwas added to the building, very similar to the oldone, but the windows were sized and positioneddifferently. The architects managed to replicatean authentic image of post-war modernism becausethe new elements they introduced and repeatedin series followed the design canons setdown by the old modernism: opening windowsspaced equidistantly, clerestory windows of thesame size and in the same position on every storey,and rigorously repeated horizontals. Mostimportantly, in the past, modernism aimed touse mass production to provide high quality at alower price, and to make rooms feel spacious byallowing daylight in. The modern day architectssucceed in doing just that with this newly developed,prefabricated, modular façade.