The renovation of four gallery flats in Haarlem (the Netherlands) proves that it is possible to fully integrate old flats into a modern facade vision. The facades were created with Rockpanel Chameleon, an extravagant panel that creates a different colour effect from every angle. The old facade panels were given a second life thanks to Rockcycle®, ROCKWOOL's extensive recycling service.
The 192 gallery houses in the Rousseaustraat area were in urgent need of some serious maintenance. With new plumbing, installations and piping, a new kitchen and fresh paintwork in all the rooms, the flats now offer their occupants the modern conveniences required today. “The interior of the houses has been completely renovated,” says Marc de Wilde of De Baak Projecten, a specialist in the supply and installation of facades. "The outside has also been tackled. The galleries are now equipped with new glass fencing and aluminium privacy screens.”
Used products:
Rockpanel Chameleon & Rockpanel Colours
Integration with the existing facade image
The new front facades are the most eye-catching feature of the major maintenance that passers-by tend to notice, says De Wilde. “Over the years, several modern round flats with plenty of glass features have been completed in the vicinity of the Rousseaustraat. As a result, the four older flats stood out in their surroundings quite noticeably. That is why integration into the existing facade image was an important requirement of the client, housing association Pré wonen.”
A rainbow of colour
The existing facades had already been fitted with blue Rockpanel facade panels at an earlier stage. “We completely stripped it off the facade, including the insulation. We then installed a self-supporting construction and applied new insulation material.”
New Rockpanel Chameleon facade panels have been mounted on this construction, each flat in its own individual gradient colour scheme. De Wilde: “Together with our client, we went in search of a facade panel to give the building a modern, unique look. When we came across Rockpanel Chameleon in the dealer showroom, we were sold on the spot: thanks to a clever crystal layer, you can actually see the facade change colour as you walk past it, with a different incidence light every time. No matter what the angle, you won't see the same thing twice. They give the building the exact modern look that is needed at this location.”
