University library gets leading facade

New icon for Amsterdam

One component that makes the UVA University Library even more special than it already is is the ornamental facade on the outside. This will feature Martinus Nijhoff's poem Awater in 24 different languages and six script forms. Nedcam is producing the facade, which consists of a total of 3,150 letters.

Nedcam produces molds, models, prototypes and complete products from various materials based on digital 2D and 3D designs. It does this with high-quality 5-axis CNC machines. The library facade is 3D printed from light plastic in collaboration with Fiberneering. The letters are then given a genuine bronze coating by VeroMetal.

Lightweight

At Nedcam, they are used to something. Not for nothing does the logo say Shaping Technology. But even by Nedcam's standards, this is a special project, says director Erwin van Maaren. "It took us six months to figure out how we were going to make this. We wanted to have a bronze look, but feasible and therefore relatively lightweight. We made a mock-up and test model during the engineering phase. For this we used the very latest techniques that exist in the world."

Leading artwork

Printing will take no less than a whole year. Consequently, the facade is 11 meters high, 50 meters wide and has a kink in the middle. To ensure fast assembly, the elements will be delivered prefabricated. Even then the assembly will be a challenge, Van Maaren emphasizes: "It is in the heart of the city center and behind the letters there will be a pigeon net. By the way, we don't do the assembly ourselves; our client BINX Smartility does that."

This is the first time Nedcam has partnered with BINX for such a large project. That collaboration is going particularly well, Van Maaren believes. Just like the cooperation with the UVA and architect. "We started from scratch. The project has been with us since 2014. Together with the UVA, contractor, architect and suppliers, we are realizing something that will be leading in Amsterdam. It will be a new icon."