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DAMAGED STEEL AND DURABLE BUILDING
Reuse of galvanized steel - case study. (Image: Tristan Fopma)

GALVANIZED STEEL AND SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION

Solutions for a circular economy

Energy Knowledge Center Leeuwarden

The Leeuwarden Energy Knowledge Center is built on the former garbage dump Skinkeskâns to the west of Leeuwarden. Part of an energy campus, this innovative office building will house a wide range of sustainability research and knowledge institutes and is architecturally integrated into the landscape. The center has an adaptable foundation and was built with an emphasis on circularity of design and choice of materials.

Bart Cilissen of Achterbosch Architects described their approach to circularity. "The main guiding principle was: use your mind and make sure you don't end up in the 'swamp' of sustainability certifications. The focus was on the right choice of building materials and their application. Making circularity visible, is how you could describe it. As architects, we try to think circularly as much as possible in every project. In the design phase, you also have to think about reusing the building materials that were used. When the building is finally dismantled, the fully galvanized steel structure can be unscrewed."

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Galvanized steel can provide innovative solutions that optimize the durability of steel structures and components and facilitate circularity. These solutions can be easily implemented using this proven and simple method of protecting steel.

The architects' motivation for choosing galvanized steel for the entire structure was strongly focused on its simplicity and sympathy for the environment.... 

"We purposely chose galvanizing instead of powder coating, so that you deal with the material as cleanly as possible. People are surprised at first that the steel has 'no color,' but when you tell them the story behind it, they immediately go along with it. I love that gray hue that perfectly matches the aging wood of the slatted facade. Moreover, we consulted with the residents in the neighboring village, who were afraid that this building would rise like a kind of lantern on top of the hill. Therefore, we chose a wooden facade that ages over time. The galvanized steel reflects to some extent a light or dark day and absorbs the color of the surroundings," said Bart Cilissen. 

The architects sought prefabricated solutions whenever possible. The galvanized steel was assembled like a meccano, the floor and facades were filled with wood frame elements, and the ceiling consists of perforated
profiles.

Achterbosch Knowledge Center construction photo
Achterbosch knowledge center.

Another objective was a building as light as possible. Building on a landfill was a specific challenge. The waste was covered with a film that could not be damaged, so heavy foundations were not possible.

The building floats on concrete slabs placed on foil in a sand bed. The 108 steel columns were freely placed with each column on its own concrete slab. For a light and circular building, a combination of steel and wood was an obvious choice. Concrete was not used for the construction of the building.    

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