AFAS Software Campus emphasizes sustainability, reuse, inspiration and innovation

DURABLE FROM ROOF TO FLOOR FINISH

Bringing inspiring organizations together in one central location in the middle of the country. That is the goal of the new AFAS Software Campus in Leusden. On business park the Horst, several buildings have been and are being transformed, located right next to the impressive AFAS Experience Center. At the end of July, the first project phase was completed with office building dotNL. This building from the 1990s has been completely renovated from the inside and offers an inspiring working environment for both AFAS Software's partners and related organizations such as start-ups and scale-ups. The design by LKSVDD architects focuses on sustainability, reuse, inspiration and innovation. The buildings will be upgraded to the highest BREEAM-NL In Use qualification ('Outstanding'), with a rate of approximately 93%. Interface's floor coverings match this very nicely.

The seed for the AFAS Software Campus was planted about 2.5 years ago, when AFAS Software contacted Dura Vermeer Kleinbouw for the renovation of an adjacent office building. "The goal was to make the building suitable for partners, start-ups and scale-ups," says Sander ter Harmsel, architect and partner at LKSVDD architects. "Initially, it was thought that moving some interior walls and upgrading the plumbing would be sufficient for this. During an initial tour, however, Dura Vermeer Kleinbouw recommended that an architect also be involved. My colleague and architect Hans van den Dobbelsteen picked up the gauntlet, took stock of the building and its ambitions and requested the original drawings, on the basis of which he recommended a rigorous renovation. In particular, to break the closed character of dotNL. He also recommended reviving the atrium as the heart of the building. An idea that was received with open arms by AFAS Software. Thus, a small renovation soon became a far-reaching project."

Sustainable second life

"AFAS Software's ambition is to bring its key partners together close to its 'clubhouse' in Leusden," Ter Harmsel emphasizes. "But also to offer these partners as many facilities as possible. This is how the project has continued to expand, with an eye for sustainability, reuse, inspiration and innovation." The original office building at Storkstraat 12 was vacant and overtaken by time, but certainly not yet written off, he says. "The renovation will give this building a sustainable second life. All the facades have been replaced with well-insulated facade facades. And the inside of the facades have also been insulated and made airtight." In the new situation, dotNL functions all-electric, with its energy demand being met as much as possible with its own generated energy. "This energy is provided by solar panels on the roof and an impressive new solar roof with 1,400 panels on top of the adjacent parking garage, which has also boosted the appearance of the anonymous parking building."

Durable floor finishes

"We have succeeded in creating an open, inspiring and warm working environment," says Ter Harmsel. "But also to give maximum substance to AFAS Software's sustainability ambition. We have put all suppliers and products for dotNL along a sustainability yardstick. Also Interface, which has sustainability and circularity very high on its agenda. For example, all Interface floor finishes are produced sustainably, using as many recycled and bio-based materials as possible. With its ReEntry program, Interface also offers a take-back program for used carpet tiles, with the goal of reusing or recycling them sustainably. We invited Interface to our office in Enschede to get an even better understanding of its sustainable practices. We then selected the best products for this project." The starting point here was a good, chic and calm base in which the various companies could feel at home and add their own touches. "For this reason, we chose gray-beige norament castello™ rubber tiles in the corridor areas, combined with light gray (Claystone) Ice Breaker carpet tiles in the work areas." These floor coverings feature a CQuest™Bio backing of bio-composite with bio-based and recycled fillers, minimizing environmental impact.

Ambitious plans

Following dotNL, AFAS Software has purchased two more buildings (The Cube and The View), which will be renovated at a later stage. "In order to give The Cube a useful purpose in the meantime, the AFAS Foundation has realized a temporary shelter for Ukrainian refugees here," Ter Harmsel explains. "In addition, plans have been made for the site layout, in which the hard, stony office environment will give way to a green and park-like design that will enhance the campus feel. Also, the various buildings will be connected above and below ground." To be continued, no doubt.