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Kop Dakpark in Rotterdam is getting a striking facade. For this project, Holland Composites is supplying Duplicor bio-based composite elements, which combine a low environmental impact with a great deal of freedom in form and appearance. Managing Director Sven Erik Janssen explains how material choice and design come together here.
Holland Composites once began as a facade builder and over the past decades developed into a specialist in composite structures. The company designs and produces its own biobased materials and applications for facades, roofs and floors. “Precisely this background makes it possible to support architects early in the process and go beyond what traditional materials allow,” Janssen says. That approach fits well with Kop Dakpark. The design calls for variation in shape, color and structure. “With composite, that is easy to achieve. The material is produced in molds, so even larger and folded elements can be made in one piece.”
The biocomposite used has a low environmental impact and is listed in the National Environmental Database. This makes the material interesting for the MPG calculation of buildings. In addition, it is lightweight. Janssen: “That makes transport and assembly easier and ensures less load on the wood frame construction behind. The elements are installed with ventilation and are low maintenance. They do not rot and are resistant to corrosion.”
Several types of elements were developed for the façade of the building. The combination of three shades of green and different surface textures is striking. Folding lines in the panels create additional shading. “Really a fantastically beautiful design. Depending on the light, you always see a different facade image. That game was thought up beforehand and now it really comes to life.”
According to Janssen, the demand for these types of sustainable materials is rapidly increasing. “We notice that clients and developers are increasingly opting for bio-based solutions. Not only in new construction, but also in renovations. A nice development.”
