18,000 anodized wobblers give Feringa Building cachet

From 2023, Feringa Building of the University of Groningen (RUG) will be the new eye-catcher on the Zernike Campus. The impressive new building was designed by Ector Hoogstad Architects as three cleverly linked V-wings. For the facade finishing, about 12,000 m2 of window frames and curtain walls were chosen, in combination with about 18,000 anodized aluminum composite panels in a characteristic wieber shape. The panels will be engineered and produced by Aldowa under subcontract to Ballast Nedam. Moreover, the market leader in metal and aluminum composite cladding is responsible for the assembly.

"Spread over the three wings, about 13,000 m2 of anodized aluminum composite panels will be installed," explains Martien Trouborst, project manager at Aldowa. "We chose panels in five anodization shades (4x gray and 1x champagne), which will be mounted randomly and roof tile wise on the different facades. For each facade, we determined the most optimal dimensions in consultation with the architect. Moreover, we made the design visible and tangible in a mock-up. After approval, we started production."

Each wieber involves an aluminum composite panel that is carefully milled and folded at Aldowa's plant in Rotterdam, Trouborst said. "On site, our assembly people fit the HSB elements and Primo cladding to the facade with aluminum brackets and corner lines, to which the panels are screwed. We started the assembly work in November." A challenge for Aldowa is particularly the size of the project, combined with the high construction speed and sometimes difficult accessibility of the façade surfaces. "Good coordination is essential, which we have been able to provide excellently so far. In the coming months, the facades will become increasingly beautiful."