Modern installation for monumental ARTIS Aquarium

The restoration and preservation of the ARTIS Aquarium is a bravura project. Also for Breman Utiliteit Zwolle, which was commissioned by Salverda Bouw to realize all the mechanical installations. From the heating, cooling and air conditioning to the water pipes, sewerage, sanitary facilities and control technology and with respect for the monumental character.

"We were involved as early as the tendering stage, working with the contractor and E-installer to create a plan for the restoration and preservation," says Jurjan Veenstra, Project Manager at Breman Utiliteit Zwolle. "Because a large part of the building was affected by rising damp and salt crystallizations, the entire building was stripped structurally and installation-wise. We then rebuilt the aquarium building installation-wise."

Hussar

"We further incorporated consultant Halmos' basic design into the monumental character of the ARTIS Aquarium," Veenstra says. "For example, we laid the air ducts across the monumental attic, not allowing us to damage the vaults. And we also had to devise a specific pipeline route for the central heating pipes and other main transport pipes, so that we did not have to go through the monumental walls and columns. Herculean feat, however, is the main energy distributor for heating and cooling, which was woven from the ridge down between the monumental rafters."

3D/Revit

"In order to streamline all processes properly, we worked out the W-installations in detail in 3D/Revit and coordinated with Salverda Bouw, SDR Elektrotechniek (E-installations) and Hellebrekers (water treatment aquariums)," said Veenstra. "The filter cellar in particular was a challenge because it had to accommodate both the piping, filters and pumps from Hellebrekers and our main transport network. In addition, Breman's and Hellebrekers's control systems come together here. For example, for controlling the heating and cooling of the aquariums."

Alternative materials

Because of the salty indoor climate, COOL-FIT energy pipes with a protective PE outer jacket were used in the filter cellar, Veenstra concludes. "The water pipes are made of Comap MultiSkin and for the air conditioning of the filter cellar we selected a Rosenberg air handling unit with composite materials. Colasit plastic air ducts were also used here, preventing salt infestation and corrosion and ensuring a long life and safe operation of the installations. To meet the sustainability ambition, a heat pump was chosen that can simultaneously supply hot and cold water. After all, here we are dealing with fresh and saltwater aquariums with different temperature ranges."