Windesheim University of Applied Sciences

The renovation will extend the lifespan of the two educational buildings by at least 20 years. After the renovation, the value-in-use will be many times higher as compared to the current situation. The indoor climate is improving, energy consumption is decreasing, there is better insulation, improved comfort, and additionally the appearance of the building will match the environment in which it stands.

Photography: LIAG en Ben Vulkers

Function:
circular façade renovation

Client:
Windesheim University of Applied Sciences

Location:
Zwolle

foto huidige complex van hogeschool Windsheim in Zwolle gelegen aan de snelweg — Bestaande situatie (foto: Ben Vulkers)

With 22,000 students and locations in among others Zwolle and Almere, Windesheim is one of the larger HBO institutions (universities of applied sciences) in the Netherlands. LIAG is renovating two of the buildings for the location in Zwolle. Buildings B and C (centrally located on the campus), no longer meet the current requirements in regard to sustainability, climate control, comfort and experience. Windesheim strives for circularity. That is why LIAG has developed a façade concept with modular elements which ful fill this aim.

The qualities of the existing buildings are reinforced with the new façade and unsightly elements are removed. Technology and installations are integrated into the façade. The new façade will consist of light-colored bands that are placed in front of the parapets of the buildings. The required air ducts for the installations can be found in these façade strips. Additionally, the escape stairs and the connecting bridges can be included in this façade system. The bands will be designed based upon the solar orientation. Solar panels can thus be integrated into the façade strip. The prominent horizontal design of the bands established an identity for buildings B and C in conjunction with the other buildings on campus. In this way a building block is created that is both functional and contemporary and that forms an inspiring enrichment for the campus.

Circularity has no meaning in itself, it becomes meaningful in relationships. Relationships such as the vision on the campus, the building, user satisfaction and the effects on the organization.
Thomas Bögl (management | architect)

Recycling

The design of the façade consists of modular elements. The elements are designed in such a way that the façade can be assembled with only a limited number of form elements. The structure will be reversible per element. This isn’t only helpful with maintenance, it also offers possibilities in the case of any new contracts for a façade. The elements are composed of components that can easily be recycled. In addition to being used for energy generation, the roof of the building block will also be designed as a green roof.