New building Leolux in Breukelen: Durable and comfortable Experience Center with a high level of finishing

For years, the Leolux Design Centers in Utrecht and Eindhoven were the place to experience the ultimate Leolux feeling. After many years of faithful service, however, the Design Center in Utrecht was in need of renewal. A state-of-the-art Experience Center was therefore built in Breukelen and right next to the A2 motorway. Architect De Bever designed a luxurious and stylish building of 3,000 m², with a striking overhang with vertical champagne-colored canopies. Large glass facades provide plenty of natural light and a wide view of the A2 and the Dutch polders behind. And the interior is sensational too. Experience is number one in the Experience Center. Moreover, explicit attention was paid to comfort, sustainability and design. The installations were not allowed to influence the look and feel of the building...

The Leolux Experience Center in Breukelen was developed by GEVA Vastgoed. BLR-Bimon was responsible for the mechanical and sanitary installations. "Based on the specifications and Program of Requirements, we made a design for the heating, cooling, ventilation and all plumbing," says Jan Paul Birkhoff, director of BLR-Bimon. "The starting point here was the standards of GPR-Gebouw, which focuses on the themes of Energy, Environment, Health, Quality of Use and Future Value. For climate and comfort, for example, a score of 8.5 was aspired to. In addition, the building had to meet the latest BENG requirement energetically. To make this possible, we made a heat loss calculation. We also looked very closely at the building envelope and solar radiation."

Climate Class A

Naturally, the climate systems in the Leolux Experience Center 100% function gas-free, Birkhoff says. "On the roof of the new building we installed an air/water heat pump, which extracts heat or cold from the outside air and releases it to the underfloor heating/floor cooling." The floor serves as the basic heating for each room, he says. "A conscious and smart choice, because in combination with the high solar radiation, maximum power can be extracted from the underfloor heating." A VRF system then provides additional cooling or heating. "A 3-pipe air-to-air heat pump system was chosen, which can be used to simultaneously heat or cool each room. For example, in the early and late season - when there is a heat demand on one side of the building and a cold demand on the other - cold and hot energy flows can be exchanged efficiently." The interplay between floor and air heating results in the offices in climate class A. "There is little stratification in the rooms, so employees and visitors alike experience a very high level of comfort." An air treatment unit with heat recovery and filters ensures sufficient fresh and clean air. CO₂-meters hereby guarantee that exactly the right amount of air is blown in at any time and in any room.

Every detail is right

"In this project, a lot of attention was paid to comfort, look and feel," Birkhoff emphasizes. "This also included our installations. For example, at the request of the architect and client, the textile air distribution hoses (airsocks) in the showroom are finished in the color of the ceiling (RAL 9010). They are also mounted high between the support beams, making them aesthetically blend in with their background. And the duct units and fire hose reel cabinets are also finished in RAL 9010. On the A2 side, several ceilings are finished in a champagne tone, which also applies to our grilles. But we also supplied grilles in gray and white. The same goes for the gutters in which the pipes are concealed. Literally every detail is right."

Business card

The new Leolux Experience Center will be officially opened in November. The new building is a great addition to BLR-Bimon's reference list and a calling card for future projects. "We were challenged to the maximum, to closely align sustainability, comfort and design," says Birkhoff. "The knowledge and experience we gained from this, we are happy to take to new projects. From offices to hospitality, care, retail and education. Because there are still plenty of opportunities for sustainability."

Specialist in climate control

Optimal comfort for tomorrow, today in your building. BLR-Bimon is the specialist in climate control. "Our heat pump, air conditioning and ventilation systems ensure a pleasant temperature, purify the air, reduce CO₂ and make pathogens disappear," Birkhoff said. "In doing so, customers are completely taken care of: from advice and design to installation and management."