Schiphol receives first BREEAM-NL certificate in the Netherlands for sustainable construction
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, 22 April 2010
On 15 April at the Building Holland trade fair held in the Amsterdam RAI, the Dutch Green Building Council awarded Schiphol the first BREEAM-NL certificate for its sustainable construction of the TransPort office building at Schiphol-East. This is the first time this certificate has been awarded for a Dutch building. BREEAM is the sustainability quality mark that assesses the sustainability of buildings around the world in terms of aspects such as energy, ecology, transport, materials and health. The TransPort office building was rated as 'Very Good'.
'We are proud that we are the first in the Netherlands to be awarded this certificate. We invest heavily in sustainability at Schiphol. The new TransPort building is special in many regards. It is efficient, inspiring and sustainable in terms of design and it makes a positive contribution to the work and business climate at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol,' according to Executive Vice President & CCO of Schiphol Group, Maarten de Groof. 'The sustainable building fits in perfectly with Schiphol Real Estate's and Schiphol Group's strategy to play an active part in the development of sustainable real estate and area development. We are also very pleased with the tenants, transavia.com and Martinair, which are both establishing their head offices in TransPort.'
TransPort
TransPort has a lettable floor area of 10,800 m2. Construction commenced on 17 March 2009. The sustainable concept and architecture were developed in collaboration with the Amsterdam architectural firm Paul de Ruiter. Construction was carried out by the De Vries and Verburg building firm of Stolwijk.
LEED certificate
In addition to the BREEAM-NL certificate for sustainable construction, TransPort also aims to qualify for the 'Platinum' sustainability quality mark of the internationally renowned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). This summer the building will be assessed for its eligibility to be awarded this certificate.
Schiphol Real Estate
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Schiphol Group, Schiphol Real Estate develops, manages, operates and invests in commercial real estate.
SchipholTV.com
For a guided tour of the building by the architect, visit http://www.schipholtv.com.
Notes to editors:
For more information, please contact the Schiphol Group press office on
+31 (0)20-6012673.
029-2010/as
Appendix: Sustainability aspects of TransPort (source: BREEAM-NL certificate report)
Healthy indoor climate
· The building has been designed to allow as much daylight as possible to enter the office spaces. Daylight has a beneficial effect on the wellbeing and health of the building's users. The large windows in the building's façade offer its users a broad view of the surroundings.
· The lighting, natural ventilation and heating can be regulated per individual room and even per individual workstation. This gives the building a high degree of thermal comfort.
· The building has been designed with a ventilation overcapacity. CO2 levels in the meeting rooms are monitored constantly so that the ventilation system can be regulated accordingly.
· The construction and finishing materials used ensure that the emission of hazardous substances into the indoor environment is kept to a minimum.
· The building will be evaluated and its users surveyed for up to two years following its completion, to ensure that all installations work perfectly.
Energy
· CO2 reduction and energy savings of the building amount to 43%.
· 460 solar panels with a capacity of 225 watts each have been installed on the roof. As a result, solar energy will account for 10% of the building's total electricity consumption and 5% of its energy consumption overall. All other energy purchased will be 100% green energy. As people enter the building, they are treated to a visual display of the amount of energy generated by the solar panels.
· Optimum use of the counterweight system means the lifts are energy-efficient. Moreover, they are equipped with LED lighting with presence detection.
· The building's energy-efficient lighting system is regulated by daylight sensors in the façade zone. The exterior lighting, which uses energy-efficient lamps, is regulated with time and photo sensors.
Accessibility
· To stimulate bicycle use, the building has a large bicycle parking facility, showers, changing rooms and lockers.
· The car park under the office building includes spaces reserved for energy-efficient cars and carpoolers.
Water
· TransPort's total water consumption is half of that of a standard office building. The building is equipped with a grey-water circuit to flush the toilets. The urinals use no water and all taps and showers are equipped with water-saving fittings.
· Water meters monitor water use in order to limit tap water consumption.
· The plants on and around the building have been selected specially so that sprinkling is not required.
Construction materials
· 95% of the wood used in the building is FSC certified.
· Waste is minimised during construction. The remaining waste was separated before disposal and 95% of it was recycled.
· The construction materials used consist as much as possible of recycled or reusable materials that have a low environmental impact during the entire lifecycle of the building.
Ecology
· Studies were made of the existing flora and fauna during the building design phase. During this process, measures were taken to limit damage and, once the building was completed, to retain and stimulate as many native plants and animals as possible.
Pollution
· Refrigerants were used that contribute as little to climate change as possible and have a low impact on the greenhouse effect.
· Heating systems have been used that reduce NOx emissions by 50% and, as such, also help to reduce local air pollution.
· The presence of efficient filters minimises pollution from falling rainwater.
Construction partners:
| Investor and developer | : Schiphol Real Estate |
| Design | : Architectenbureau Paul de Ruiter bv, Amsterdam |
| Construction management and direction | : Brains to Build B.V, Amersfoort |
| Installation consultant | : Deerns raadgevende ingenieurs bv, Rijswijk |
| Construction consultant | : ABT Adviesbureau voor Bouwtechniek bv, Velp |
| Sustainability consultant | : BenR adviseurs BV, Amersfoort |
| Architectural contractor | : Bouwbedrijf Vries en Verburg, Stolkwijk |
| Mechanical engineering contractor | : Wolter & Dros |
| Electrical engineering contractor | : Croon |
