Durable, lightweight solution for atrium roof

For the atrium in the new Feringa Building at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, architect and contractor were looking for a material with low weight. That made ETFE a perfect solution. Indeed, its long service life and light weight make this ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer extremely durable. Thus, less steel is needed, resulting in a lower ecological footprint.

The atrium is equipped with a 1,000 m² variable roof that provides an attractive indoor climate as well as shade when needed. This is the advanced ETFE system from Vector Foiltec. To create optimal operation, this company also took care of the steel construction and installation of the gutter systems.

The cushions for the university building are constructed of four layers of ETFE film. An air supply system pumps air between the layers so that they expand or contract. In the process, the printed layers in the cushions provide more or less shade. The system can be easily adapted to different climatic conditions and scores highly in terms of thermal performance and solar control. The latter is achieved by the sophisticated printing technology, which reduces light transmission. In addition, this ETFE system from Vector Foiltec offers fire safety and improved acoustics, making it an excellent choice for atrium roofs. Furthermore, the ETFE system requires minimal maintenance and its long service life of more than 50 years stands out. With eighteen offices worldwide and factories in Germany and China, Vector Foiltec delivers worldwide. The company is a market leader in elegant and cost-efficient technical solutions for roofs of atriums, facades and domes, among others. In the Netherlands, they have been used for Burgers' Zoo, the Rotterdam Floating Pavilion and the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The Chinese prestige project Water Cube, transformed into Ice Cube for the 2022 Winter Olympics, is also equipped with Vector Foiltec's ETFE system.