Specialist for translucent roof structures

From the translucent roof of the Amsterdam Arena to the transparent station canopy with solar cells of Rotterdam Central Station. From a courtyard roof with ventilation hatches for the Librije in Zwolle to the roofing of the interior atrium of Hilton Schiphol. These are just a few but significant examples of roof structures that the company Licotec has to its name.

Licotec develops and manufactures translucent roof and wall structures for shopping centers, stadiums, commercial buildings and much more. A gable roof, a pent roof, a pyramid, a canopy, an atrium or a B.I.P.V. (building integrated photovoltaics/panels that generate electricity from sunlight): Licotec can call itself a leader in the construction and production of complex roofs. "We are good at complex projects. When the design for translucent roof structures becomes more difficult, an architect or builder comes to us," says general manager Bertjan Piest.

90% glass

The translucent sliding roof of the Amsterdam Arena was installed 25 years ago. Piest: "Back then we used plastic, but over the years we have increasingly switched to glass. This is more durable and gives a better soundproofing and insulation value. We can even use triple glass now. We now use 90 percent glass and another 10 percent plastic."

The Duiven-based company has also increasingly focused on engineering. Piest: "We are able to draw and calculate increasingly difficult projects. We have the engineers and constructors in-house to do that. The glass we use is subjected to a glass test in which we look at fall-through safety and injury resistance. We test which glass best suits a project and calculate the strength of the profiles and trusses. With aluminum profiles developed in-house, large self-supporting structures can be realized. We convert an architect's design into a technically feasible design that is also constructively feasible. We do the assembly in-house. By the way, we are still looking for technical talents, especially when it comes to 3D drawing work."

Mock-up

A special project is now underway for the University of Amsterdam. There, three buildings are being connected by a large atrium. Its tree-shaped steel structure will be fitted with some four hundred smaller and larger triangular glass panels. Piest: "We drew one such glass surface in 3D. Theoretically it was correct and we have now made a mock-up of it. For Rotterdam Central Station we have 30,000 m² glass made with solar cells on it, but also translucent."

Licotec not only specializes in skylights and canopies, but also delivers complete projects. For example, it is possible to have sun blinds made to measure. Or to have maintenance bridges installed in places that are difficult to reach. Licotec also supplies customized ventilation systems, possibly in combination with an RWA (smoke and heat extraction) installation.