MFC ANTARES

as Architects

+6

On a footprint of 6,800 m2, this future social fulcrum of new neighbourhood Tabaksteeg will house two primary schools, playgroups, crèches and after-school care, a municipal library and sports hall and a number of rooms for mixed use.Antares will play a pivotal social role in the integration of the new Tabaksteeg neighbourhood with the existing Leusden Zuid district. To make the building a success, the Woningstichting and the municipality are already working with local residents, more than eighteen months prior to the opening, in order to create a range of broad and versatile social programmes within the building, also in the evenings and at weekends. The diversity of spaces in the complex offers users the option to choose the most appropriate space for their activities – in consultation with one another, of course. This means the people of Leusden will be well prepared to take the building into use. Not only has a great deal of attention been devoted to the social aspects, but also to the indoor climate. At an early stage, RAU made it clear that good climate control was a priority, and that this includes cooling. The characteristic corrugated roof of Antares will be covered with a sustainable ‘mos-sedum’ green roof. The planting for this green roof will not only increase bio-diversity in the neighbourhood, but will also operate as a thermal buffer for the building. During the winter, the roof will keep the heat in the building, and during the summer it will provide cooling. In addition, the ‘mos-sedum’ roof will provide additional sound insulation and will extend the life of the building by providing protection against UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, hail and heavy rainfall. Less visually striking, but equally important as the ‘mos-sedum’ roof for the sustainability and energy efficiency of the building, are the thermal energy storage in the soil, the heat pump, the heat recovery system, the under-floor heating and cooling (making air-conditioning and radiators redundant), LED lighting and the use of FSC-certified timber.