Transparency
Transparency is a major issue in Woerdstaete. Daylight enters the residents’ homes through the atrium, which features two entirely transparent lifts and various aerial walkways that offer access to the apartments. Wim Veerbeek, one of the architects at Zwinkels Architecten: ‘Given that the block plan was to be housed in an L-shaped building, we quite quickly came up with the idea of creating an atrium. Thankfully, the client also conceived that this would lend highly substantial added value to the project. In building the atrium, we created a covered outdoor area, which one might best describe as a sort of raincoat: People using the aerial walkways which criss-cross the atrium are not exposed to the elements. However, the atrium is otherwise entirely fitted out as an outdoor area, featuring clinker paving and ‘exterior lighting’. The finishing touches are currently being made in the form of landscaping and planting, which should certainly render it a pleasant meeting place, conducive to forging of social contacts.’

 

Ventilation
Aesthetic Estra louver ventilators were installed in the façade to provide the supply of fresh air.‘We opted for this particular system because it makes the exterior wall even more transparent.’The louver ventilators provide daily ventilation, as well as extracting smoke and heat in the event of fire.

 

Fire safety
The design of the fire safety system also comprises CO/LPG detection in the underground car park. Brakel Atmos also supplied the fire alarm control unit for the atrium, the apartments and the car park. Both the smoke control and fire alarm systems are NCP accredited, which vouches for their appropriate operation. Wim Veerbeek has a great deal of faith in Brakel Atmos, which also secured fire brigade approval for the project.
‘We spoke to the fire brigade once on our own, and once together with Brakel Atmos. We nevertheless presume that the approved plans will provide ample guarantees of the property’s fire safety.’

 

Everything in one safe pair of hands
The initial steps in forging a partnership for this project were taken during the Bouwbeurs (Building Trades Exhibition) 2005.
‘We then proceeded to examine a number of previous Brakel Atmos projects together with the client, and things just fell into place. Furthermore, Brakel Atmos is naturally a household name in the Netherlands. The client was also impressed by fact that Brakel Atmos is not only competent in the field of patent glazing roofs, but also fire safety and ventilation. It is particularly reassuring to be able to trust all of these aspects to one safe pair of hands.’

 

Tallest ‘glasshouse’ in the Westland area
‘Both residents and neighbours of Woerdstaete responded highly favourably. The residents as a result of their pleasant living environment, and the neighbours regarding the image of the building. Instead of a dated transport building, they now live next to the tallest glasshouse in the Westland area,’ Wim Veerbeek concluded.