Unique building envelope for Benelux's largest DC

DSV warehouse Moerdijk gets color

The largest distribution center in the Netherlands is rising at Logistics Park Moerdijk: the new XXL warehouse of DSV Global Transport and Logistics. With ten halls, offices, a walkway and crossdock, the project is grand in every respect. The striking facade details immediately catch the eye - thanks to Cladding Partners, which is responsible for the complete building envelope.

The project is being carried out by Construction Company Vrolijk, with whom Cladding Partners has worked before. "We are a regular partner and approached it together," says Nick Arts, project manager of Cladding Partners. "With a project of this magnitude you want to work with regular partners, then you already have confidence in each other before the start."

Blue as a signature

Cladding Partners installed some 175,000 square meters of steel roofing sheets as well as 33,500 square meters of sandwich panels. The latter were executed in a natural blue color. "That is a unique color, which has not been seen before," says Arts. For the distribution center, we could choose from natural shades. That meant that the sandwich panels had to be ordered on time, because this color was custom-made. The panels were applied to the warehouse, the cross-dock, the office and the decorative mock façade.

Curves and customization

The facade has curves at the office and the mock facade. "In a hall, you're usually dealing with straight sections. Here there is a curve in part. We fitted the panels to the work so that they follow the curves nicely," Arts explains. "The building has a long facade along the highway; you'll see it run away beautifully later."

Lighting in bar code

The facade is covered with profiles, creating a framework of horizontal and vertical lines. A special element is the integrated facade lighting. Aluminum profiles incorporating the lighting form a subtle "barcode effect" along the highway at night. "For this project, we co-contracted the lighting. This was a unique collaboration for us with one of our partners from Breda," says Arts. At the same time, the lighting meets BREEAM requirements to minimize the impact on flora and fauna.

Smart, durable and fast

The insulated sandwich panels further contribute to the large building's BREEAM score. "For example, we keep close track of how many transport movements we need and where the materials come from," says Arts. Cladding Partners is currently working daily with about 20 men on the project. The facade of the ramp, towards the 1,000 parking spaces on the roof, will be clad in the same way as the mock facade. And that in turn will have openings for a playful effect. "The size, but also the colors, lighting and unique profiles make this project a real eye-catcher. You literally can't ignore it. And we are proud of the result."