The interweaving composite panels dominate the new façade of the Eemsmond building in Delfzijl. The composite panels have a laminated insert of a chameleon foil with alternating angles. The panels change colour depending on the time of day.

The front and rear facades were completely demolished and replaced by a prefabricated timber framed wall during the redevelopment of the Eemsmond building. Shelves and spacers in the front of the façade pull the flat composite plates into a curved sinusoidal shape. The plates are glass fiber reinforced polyester and are produced by vacuum injection.

Firstly a layer of fibre is covered with foil and layed onto a mould. A vacuum is created between the foil and the mould and filled with resin. This technique is not new, but the fixing of the facade system in Delfzijl is unique.

The plates, created by Jaap van der Meij create a crosscut effect on the face of the building. The original building, which opened in 1972 was also famous for its different concrete frame.

When an architect thinks of a façade with a woven look for the refurbishment of a governmental building, what do you do?

We started playing in more detail with our Raficlad cladding material and developed a custom mounting system to achieve a woven look. In addition the cladding material was to partly prevent ingress of direct sunlight and it should offer a changing look from various angles.

A laminated foil with so called chameleon finish did just that, the colour changes depending from the angle. Located high in the Northern part outside the crowded part of The Netherlands, this building may sometimes be somewhat overlooked by the main public, however - in our humble opinion - it is a small masterpiece.

Great project in a one on one development between the architect, main contractor and ourselves - everybody had the will to deliver a stunning project with ditto façade. We are still very proud on this project.