Versatile Rockfon Krios ceiling tiles used in renovation and new construction of VDL Groep headquarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands

VDL Groep's headquarters in Eindhoven is undergoing a major renovation. Not only has the building received a new extension, the existing building is also being completely renovated and will be completed in September 2019. The renovated and new office building uses the versatile Krios ceiling tiles from Rockfon (part of the ROCKWOOL Group). VDL Groep almost always chooses Rockfon Krios ceiling tiles for all its buildings because of their exceptional acoustic properties, fire safety and reliability. By combining ceilings with a visible and functional suspension system in one room and a luxurious concealed profile system in another, the desired appearance is achieved everywhere.

Family business VDL, founded in 1953 by Pieter van der Leegte, is now one of the fast-growing companies in the technological manufacturing industry in the Netherlands. VDL is a group of companies active in the development and production of automotive assembly, among other things. In 2012, VDL took over car manufacturer NedCar. VDL now includes 104 independently operating companies spread over 20 countries and employs around 17,000 people worldwide. Eindhoven is the headquarters, where approximately 150 people work. This building houses the management with support and administrative services. The entire automation department, which was at another location for a number of years, will also return to the headquarters.

Rebuilding headquarters
Due to VDL's growth, the existing headquarters had become too small and needed renovation. "Our company has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, adding several new companies to the group," said Stijn Kennis, project manager at VDL and responsible for VDL's new construction and renovation projects. "We are constantly working to provide a pleasant working environment for a growing number of employees." The new building has now been completed. Currently, the renovation of the existing part of the headquarters is underway and finishing work has started. Knowledge explains that VDL usually hires parties with whom it has worked for many years. VDL also always chooses Rockfon suspended ceilings for its premises. "For the ceilings of the offices and in the boardrooms, Rockfon Krios ceiling tiles are used because of their high acoustic and fireproof qualities and the beautiful, clean look," Kennis indicates. This is further reinforced by the use of panels with edge trim D where the ceiling tiles are one centimeter lower than the profiles, making them out of sight and creating a fancier look.
The panels have a light reflectance of 86% and class-A sound absorption (αw = 1.00), making the panels particularly suitable in open-plan offices, where many people work who do not want to be bothered by too much noise. In addition, the highest fire class A1 provides additional fire safety. Typically, grid sizes in offices are 3.6 meters and only 600 mm ceiling tiles can be used. Rockfon Krios, however, can be supplied in different sizes. "These systems are ideal because they can be made to measure. In the revitalized VDL headquarters, the ceiling tiles were made in multiples of 800 mm because this office has grid sizes of 4 meters," Kennis points out.

High-tech appearance
Architectenbureau Franken Architectuur from Bergeijk has been working for VDL for forty years. Architect René Willemsen is involved in the remodeling of VDL headquarters, from the drawing work to the final design and implementation. "VDL's buildings generally use the same house style with the same building elements and architectural details," says Willemsen. The headquarters is quite solitary and exudes VDL's high-tech capability. "The clean subdued white of the exterior of the headquarters is continued in the interior, where the suspended ceilings with the uniform white Rockfon Krios panels fit in perfectly." Willemsen says that Rockfon ceilings are used in all offices because VDL wants to be assured of the same level of quality that Rockfon Krios offers. "VDL is a down-to-earth company with two feet on the ground and the company wants to show that in the appearance of their premises: understated and functional," says Willemsen.

Reduction of failure costs, easy assembly and speed
Finishing company De Haas en Heesterbeek from Eersel is responsible for the interior finishing of VDL's headquarters. Maikel Tijsen is a work planner and calculator-drawer at De Haas en Heesterbeek and takes care of ordering materials for the VDL project. He explains that the drawings are drawn entirely in 3D Revit models, making the drawings accessible to all parties involved, which is useful for clearly mapping out certain quantities, construction details and connections so that any errors can be spotted more quickly and corrected immediately. Failure costs can thus be greatly reduced. Many of these connections are directly related to the suspended ceilings.

In the main office, a concealed ceiling system with double grid was installed in the corridors of the executive department. In this part of the main building, Rockfon Krios panels were used with a larger size
(800×800 mm) than the standard ceiling tiles (600×600 mm). These larger panels feature edge trim D and are installed in a concealed ceiling system where the profiles are not visible. This is a completely concealed profile system in which the ceiling panels are still demountable, which provides easy access to installations in the plenum. A special system variant allows the main profiles to be spaced 1,800 mm apart, requiring fewer suspension points. Rockfon has developed this ceiling system especially for VDL.

The panels can be clicked directly fitting into the profiles. "This allows us to make speed," indicates Tijsen. "What's nice about Rockfon is that clear manuals are available for all their systems, which makes it easier for us to install them. According to Tijsen, clients often choose a nice sleek system that doesn't stand out too much. "Rockfon Krios has a high light reflection, giving an office space a nice look and light appearance. This creates a pleasant atmosphere in an office space, which functions optimally acoustically. That is also what we want to achieve in these office environments," Tijsen said.

Krios with new lace finishes D, Dznl/A and X available
Oualid Rouchdi, area sales manager at Rockfon, says they have been supplying suspended ceilings to VDL for decades. "The company deliberately chooses the stable value for money that these durable systems offer. The system ceilings have a beautiful, aesthetic appearance, they have the highest values in terms of acoustics and fire resistance and all at an attractive price" says Rouchdi. "VDL chose Rockfon because with them our product availability of suspended ceilings plays a big role. Our products are always readily available."

Rouchdi continues: "The combination of exposed and concealed ceiling systems gives each room the desired appearance. Choosing a concealed profile system is a simple way to upgrade a suspended ceiling by creating a more even appearance. VDL has done this very cleverly by using Rockfon Krios in edge trim D. This way you create different styles with products from the same line, creating a cohesive whole at the same time."

Rockfon Krios with edge finishes D, Dznl/A and X for concealed and semi-concealed ceiling systems, is back and available through dealers as of today.