'Highlight of Berghaus is the curved glass at the corners'

In the vibrant heart of Amsterdam, near the A10 ring road, the Ring Zone West is being transformed into a lively living and working neighborhood. An important part of the work is the redevelopment of Berghaus Plaza in the Fashion District. The 1964 building was completely demolished and rebuilt in its original style and redeveloped into a combined office, residential and work complex, with attention to sustainability and comfort. Two residential towers atop the new Berghaus create space for 288 new homes, while a third tower provides 21,600 m2 of additional office space. With the supply of no less than 10,000 m2 of IsoPerform and TriplePerform Sun solar control glazing, IsoPerform SKN176 curved glass as well as enamel and satin tempered panel glass, Vandaglas is making an important contribution to the aesthetic appearance, sustainability and functionality of the project.

Vandaglas was involved in the redevelopment at a very early stage, says Key Account Manager René Goossen. "At the request of MVSA Architects and Heyligers architects, we visited the original building with our showmobile, in which glass facades can be simulated. This allowed the architects' preferred glazing to be assessed in advance and in the correct facade orientation. After awarding the project to Blitta Gevelystemen, we jointly further engineered the facades with preferred glazing, resulting in a unique facade."

Solar control and ESTICATED PANELGLAS

At various positions, IsoPerform and TriplePerform Sun solar-control glazing in a neutral appearance has been applied, Goossen says. "As a result, it is barely visible that it is sunproof glazing, while some of the incident sunlight and the associated heat are efficiently blocked out. Enamel panel glass has also been used in several places. The matte gray panels from the old Berghaus Plaza have been replaced with a modern alternative, in the form of enamel and satin-tempered panes." A total of 8,800 m2 of solar control and panel glass has been processed, he says. The highlight for the glass specialist, however, is the curved glass at the corners, which immediately catches the eye.

Luminous curved panes

The curved windows required specific expertise, for which Vandaglas is overwhelmingly the right place. "Curved glass often creates distortion," Goossen knows. "However, not in the new Berghaus. At the factory in Berlin - where the bent glass is made - electric furnaces are used, which allow the temperature of the bending process to be very well regulated. As a result, the solar-heat-resistant IsoPerform SKN 176 panes have become flawless. No less than 1,200 m2 of curved glass was produced for this project, in which the size of the panes as well as the radius were the most important normative parameters. The largest curved pane was no less than 3,100 mm wide and 3,500 mm high!"

Because of limited space on the construction site, all glass products were delivered to a hub just outside the city, Goossen says. "From here, Blitta Facade Systems transported the right products just-in-time to the construction site and processed them directly." Meanwhile, the final panes have been delivered by Vandaglas.