NEXT architects designed a unique area bringing together commerce, art and culture.

At Holland Boulevard passengers experience the Netherlands: from special Dutch sitting rooms to the NEMO Science Centre, the Airport Library and the Rijksmuseum’s unique glass pavilion. Dutch designers FlorentijnHofman and Samira Boon also made works specially for the airport. “The Holland Boulevard becomes a calling card for the kinds of things that the Dutch can be proud of” says Bart Reuser, partner NEXT architects.

HOLLAND BOULEVARD The Dutch polder landscape was the main source of inspiration behind this vast space of 5,000 m2. It comprises various typical Dutch-inspired sitting rooms, each one with their own character and ambiance. The systematic design of the Dutch landscape gives a quick overview to hasty passengers; while passengers who are staying longer can wander through the landscape and discover new places. This makes each visit to the Holland Boulevard a stimulating experience, or a place to rest.

RIJKSMUSEUM SCHIPHOL The Rijksmuseum Schiphol is the highlight of Holland Boulevard: a modern and innovative framework for the masterpieces exhibited by the Rijksmuseum at Schiphol Airport. The curved walls presented an additional challenge and were realised by gluing together 10.000 strips of glass of 7 cm wide to form a solid glass wall. “The pavilion’s glass structure has a truly unique composition that is, above all, circular. This means that all single elements can be removed,” says Martin Weerheim, project leader at Saint-Gobain Glassolutions, who realised the U-shaped museum walls.

“The resulting semi-transparent walls filter the light, creating a gradual transition from the hustle and bustle of Schiphol Airport to the art treasures shown by the Rijksmuseum,” adds Bart Reuser of NEXT.

Schiphol Airport has a very prestigious glass construction on the Holland Boulevard. The curved inner walls of this glass pavilion for the Rijksmuseum consist of 10,000 glass panels which GLASSOLUTIONS fastened together with tesa®ACXplus tape. The HERMANS GROEP, department Glass Projects, was responsible for the engineering and development in the technical and visual field. Conditioned transport and a professional assembly lead to a successful end result. Altogether, it was a huge challenge taking into account all the (safety)prescriptions on Schiphol. An innovative piece of work, this special glass construction which distinguishes itself by its composition, structure and size (2,200 m2).

The glass structure is an international eye-catcher and an ambassador for glass and tape as building materials. Millions of visitors will pass by the Holland Boulevard, which is built at Schiphol Airport.The combined passage/accommodation space between the E and F piers is getting a new interior design from NEXT architects. Saint-Gobain GLASSOLUTIONS Glassolutionswon the tender for the supply of as much as 68 tons of glass for the massive glass core (showroom and shop) and the exposed glass walls around it.

Semi-automatic assembly Nothing was left to chance in this ambitious collaborative project. Accordingly, Saint-Gobain GLASSOLUTIONS built its own assembly line to fasten the glass panels into layered glass building blocks. Here, a skilled team fastened 10,000 3200x70x10 (L x W X

D) glass panels PLANICLEAR 10 mminto packages. Each panel received two strips double-sides tesa tape with a width of 6 mm and a thickness of 1 mm over its full length. Also the assembly of the heavy building blocks required precision and craftsmanship. The department Glass Projects of the HERMANS GROEP assembled the glass building blocks into decorative partition walls of 3.37 m in height, partially interspersed with showcases.

Low maintenance andsafety Tests show that the glass construction also perfectly meets the strict requirements for safety and maintenance expected by Schiphol. Several tests were performed, which show that in case of damage the panels are easily replaceable. The tape is fireproof and resistant to cleaning products.

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol was officially opened on 7 September and is located behind the passport control on the Holland Boulevard close to lounge 2. In this way, passengers who travel via Schiphol can get acquainted with the Dutch cultural heritage.