Herman Gorter complex Utrecht becomes first energy-neutral government office in the Netherlands

On March 5, the National Property Company, together with its partners, celebrated the start of the renovation. The building will soon be delivered completely energy-neutral. This means that the building now rises from energy label label B to A++++. Making the Herman Gorterstraat 5 property energy neutral has shown that this dated building can indeed be made energy neutral. Something that previously seemed impossible.

Project Manager Frans van Beek, project manager of the Government Property Company, says: "The enormous renovation of the total project of 37,000 square meters has been set up as sustainably as possible. With the 2050 climate target in mind, the Herman Gorter complex is the first government office to be renovated with the ambition of being 'energy neutral'. This was given to the market in the tender and is now actually being implemented."

Innovative and creative thanks to true collaboration

Dura Vermeer Bouw Hengelo is forming a partnership with OTH, DWA and de Groot Installation Group for the design and construction.

Patrick Kip, project manager at Dura Vermeer: "The basis of the UAV-GC contract was and remains true cooperation as equal partners. Only this makes it possible to realize the design and process as optimally and quickly as possible. This created an innovative and creative concept around circular and energy-neutral building."

Design and construction including energy supply

The project involves transforming three dated office buildings from the 1990s into one modern and highly sustainable government office. Not only is Dura Vermeer and its partners responsible for design, build, and maintain, but also for the supply of energy. The energy-neutral label will be achieved with both energy-saving and energy-generating measures such as: the adaptive facade through triple glazing and sun blinds on the inside. Solar panels will be installed both on the roof and on part of the buildings in the courtyard. This will generate a lot of additional energy.

A healthy, smart building and energy coach

Building physical aspects such as fire safety, adaptive façade and airtightness are of great importance. There is maximum airtightness for an optimal indoor climate and lower energy consumption. Herman Gorter will be equipped with smart sensors and energy meters, providing insight into energy flows. With these insights, requirements can be monitored, any deviations from the design can be traced and adjusted where necessary. An energy coach will ensure that the building can be used in an even smarter way.

Building on a postage stamp at high speed

Part of the complex remains in use, so the process is divided into two phases. This combined with building on this postage stamp, right in the center of Utrecht, make it a challenge. The accessibility of the site in the inner-city area, the interfaces with adjacent construction projects in progress.

Residents

After renovation, the complex will accommodate about 2,000 employees. This will include a large proportion from various government departments of the Ministry of Justice and Security (J&V). But other government departments will also be housed in the complex. The renovation will start after plan development in mid-2020. From the end of 2021, various agencies of the Ministry of J&V will move into this government office in phases. The renovation of the building will be completed in early 2023.