Vegas in Venlo: A sustainable building with a spectacular LED facade

MVSA Architects, in collaboration with Gensler and Arcadis, designed a real eye-catcher in the landscape, characterized by the design with a flower rising from the center of the building and a spectacular LED facade with different colors. In addition to this distinct architectural appearance, sustainability was also crucial for the client.

Holland Casino invested heavily in new establishments in the last year. For example, the company is currently constructing an iconic building along the A67 motorway in Venlo, immediately the first thing Germans and other tourists see when they cross the border. The management will choose a location along a highway more often in the coming years. Visitors will then not have to go into town first and parking can be provided around the casino. "At the end of 2017, we won the tender for Holland Casino Venlo with a design for a building in the shape of a flower. For the interior of this sculptural building, which we like to call 'the gateway to the Netherlands,' we collaborated with Gensler from Las Vegas and the landscape architecture is by Arcadis," says Wouter Thijssen of MVSA Architects.
"The design is a total concept that emphasizes not only the identity of Holland Casino, but also the Cradle-to-Cradle ambitions of the municipality of Venlo. It is a new landmark, which also stands out in terms of sustainability."

Spectacular design

Holland Casino wanted and received a building with a very distinct architectural look. An interactive facade, which changes color and also illuminates the building, attracts the attention of passersby. This facade combines sequins, equipped with LED lighting, and perforated cladding. "This building is designed according to the principles of biomimicry, like a flower with a skin, a skeleton, metabolism and a brain. This 'wooden flower', made with about 300 composite beams, forms a roof of 55 by 45 m, is 25 m high and is supported by a 3.2 m diameter 'stem' that rises from the center of the building," explains the architect. "The blooming flowers spread organically across the landscape, like the traditional tulip fields seen throughout the Netherlands. This unique feeling is further enhanced by the integration of two large 'bulb fields' around the building. The gaming room, which is elevated 4 meters, is located around the flower stem, and at the top, under the roof of the casino, will be the bar. From that location, visitors get a great view of the gaming tables. A VIP parking area is integrated under the gaming hall."

Iconic but also durable

The 9,500-square-foot building is not only an architectural gem, but was also built completely sustainably. The wood comes from sustainably managed forests, and some of the little concrete used was reclaimed from recent demolitions. "Not only did we choose energy-efficient LED lighting, but rainwater is also collected through the roof and reused as gray water," Thijssen concludes. "Just like a flower gets its nutrition from the soil via roots, the supply for heating and cooling also comes from the soil. Solar panels will also be installed on the roof."  

Construction Info

Client 
Holland Casino, Venlo

Architects 
MVSA Architects, Amsterdam and Gensler, Las Vegas (USA)

Landscape Architecture 
ARCADIS, Amersfoort

Main contractor 
Laudy Construction, Sittard