The new building of the office for BDO Accountants at the Rithmeester Park in Breda comprises a floor area of 2,550 m2 in three floors. The development is an initiative of Winters Bouw & Ontwikkeling. RIENKS Architects was responsible for the design and further BIM engineering. From the outset, it has been the ambition of all parties involved to develop the most sustainable office in Breda.
This sustainability is reflected in a number of aspects. The building contributes to the saving of raw materials through the rational design and simple shape of the building volume. In addition, light and non-solid products have been used, such as a main load-bearing structure made of CLT and HSB facades. The dimensions are tailored to standard product sizes and large elements of the hull and facades are prefabricated. The structural connections are carefully and, where possible, can be dismantled in detail. As a result, the amount of waste during the construction phase has been kept to a minimum. The building contributes to the use of renewable raw materials. The design of the main load-bearing structure in wood is the most eye-catching. Greenhouse gas reductions are particularly supported by the high energy performance and use of products and materials with low values for embodied carbon. Once again, the timber applications in the main load-bearing structure and façades stand out. The façades are equipped with aluminium frames and Stoneo Look façade panels. These panels are made from stone waste and composed of natural and recycled components. The texture of wrinkled paper gives this material a fine and soft look. The building is energy-neutral and has an average GPR score of 8.5.
In addition to the high sustainability ambition, it also had to be a functional and beautiful building. In terms of urban planning, the building responds to the adjacent Princenhagelaan and the office of Moore DRV, also designed by RIENKS Architects. The tone and the vertical rhythm in the façade make both buildings related to each other (although one stands on legs and the other on solid ground). The façade adjacent to the Princenhagelaan has been bent to accompany this important access road and to fit in with the urban grid prescribed by the Municipality of Breda. In the middle of the building there is a void over the three floors. For example, the entrance is emphasized from the parking lot and the building has an open window to the city and Princenhagelaan. This is where the most important meeting rooms and rooms for informal consultations are located. The floor plans can also be filled in fairly generically, which makes it very flexible.
The atmosphere in the office is particularly pleasant due to the wooden constructions that have largely remained in sight. The acoustics and humidity clearly benefit from this. At the time of writing, the finishing touches are being put to the interior designed by M+R Interior Architecture.
Team:
Architects: RIENKS Architects
Photo Credits: Marcel Snellenberg & RIENKS Architects
