Marga Klompé Building, Tilburg | The Netherlands
This 4-storey auditorium centre is the Netherland's first university building made entirely from solid wood. It offers room for 1,000 students and offers an auditorium, 13 lecture halls and teaching rooms. We delivered binderholz CLT BBS and binderholz glulam for this project. Our b_project team was responsible for detailed statics, project coordination, works planning, installation plans and pre-fabrication as well as delivery of all solid wood elements including calculation and delivery of fasteners. The modern building with its resource-preserving construction method is mostly energy neutral.
FAKTEN
Project University building
Location Tilburg, Netherlands
Completion December 2023
Client Tilburg University
Architecture Powerhouse Company
Execution BAM Bouw en Techniek BV
Material use 1,050 m3 of binderholz CLT BBS, 690 m3 of binderholz glulam
Wood dominates construction and visuals
The building situated at the Tilburg University campus has a square floor plan and was integrated into the existing landscape. The sustainable timber construction elements were installed in such a way that they can be removed for further use in the future. The circular concept even shows in the facade, which was built from plates of bright natural stone, which were screwed onto the timber construction.
The construction used an innovative carcass method consisting of four and a half kilometres of glulam beams and steel supports as well as joists. The superstructure is exposed in all rooms and the walls, floors, stairs, surfaces and furniture are characterised by wood. Terrazzo and plaster elements complement this and create a pleasant atmosphere. CLT BBS ceilings reinforced with glulam beams, combined with a grid made of wooden slats, allow for large spans of up to 9.2 m in the lecture halls. The slat-like wooden grids cover lines and air ducts while also serving the acoustics.
Ressource-perserving and almost carbon neutral
The building's energy demand is lowered through structural measures and it relies mostly on renewable energy sources. This is achieved, among others, through its compact shape, highly efficient envelope and specifically positioned openings. The auditorium centre was insulated using cotton from recycled jeans. It is heated and cooled through geothermal energy and a heat pump. Needs-based lighting and ventilation systems as well as solar panels ensure sustainability. Thanks to its almost carbon neutral overall balance, the building received an extraordinary BREEAM certification.
The ground floor houses a foyer and cafe which open up to the surrounding park and campus via large glass surfaces. The second and third floors are connected via a light-flooded atrium that simultaneously supports its natural ventilation, contributing to the air quality in the interior. The new, circular solid wood building complements the University of Tilburg's Campus with its sustainable concept.
Photos: © Sebastian van Damme © BAM Bouw en Techniek BV
Renderings: © binderholz
