Foppingadreef green transformation in full swing

Construction of the ABN AMRO office building at Foppingadreef in Amsterdam-Zuidoost is in full swing. The existing structure is being extended and refurbished with sustainability as a central goal – and with a demanding brief for the architect. “Our aim is to redevelop the property in the most sustainable way possible,” says Daphne Lautenbach, Real Estate Development Manager at ABN AMRO. Once renovated, ‘Fopp’ will meet standards such as those set out in the Paris climate accord.

Energy consumption

Thanks to smart design choices, the building’s average annual energy consumption per square metre will fall well below the Paris-proof norm – to less than 70 kilowatt-hours, around half the energy the old building used. Much of that energy will be generated by solar panels integrated into the design. “That means the building will meet the Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NZEB) standards and qualify for BREEAM Outstanding certification – the highest sustainability rating for real estate,” says Olivier Hilbers, a strategic technical consultant at ABN AMRO.

Circularity, not demolition

“We’re also challenging everyone involved in the renovation to incorporate as many circular solutions as they can,” Olivier says. The bank’s aim is to rebuild and furnish the premises in the most circular way possible. The architect, contractor, developer and engineers are all looking at ways to maximise sustainability. Wherever possible, materials from the old building will be reused. “Plus by opting for raw, untreated materials and planning for future disassembly, we’re making it easier to also reuse these materials down the line.”

Daphne says, “We’ve chosen not to demolish the original 1980s concrete shell, which will form the basis of the new structure.” This approach drastically reduces the need for new materials. Olivier adds, “The production of concrete is a major source of carbon emissions. So reusing the existing structure means a much smaller carbon footprint.”

A robust shell

Architect Aldo Vos, director of the architectural firm BroekBakema, designed the rebuild around the existing concrete shell. “It’s a solid and efficient structure – they really knew what they were doing back in the 1980s,” says Aldo. Thanks to new climate technology, the low climate ceilings added in the 90s could be removed. “We’ve restored the generous ceiling height, which has the added benefit of letting in more natural light.”

Aldo is most excited about the ten atria and the central meeting plaza included in the design. “They’re open, welcoming spaces with real trees and plants,” he says. “It’s a great environment for employees, visitors and local residents.” And sustainable, too: thanks to the building’s smaller façade surface relative to its interior volume, the team have managed to reduce heat loss. “A building shouldn’t just be green – it should also be pleasant to work in,” Aldo says. “An atrium roof made entirely of glass would have overheated the space, so we’ve opted for a smart design featuring solar panels to keep out the sun.”

Timber construction

The new premises have also been enlarged. “We’re expanding from about 75,000 to more than 100,000 square metres of gross floor area,” Daphne explains. Visitors to the site will see that timber is being used for the new parts of the building. “It’s a conscious decision – timber construction is far more sustainable than concrete.”

The right to copy

Daphne and Olivier say they’re proud that the project truly showcases sustainability. ABN AMRO is also eager to share what it has learned from the project with its construction partners and clients. In fact, one of the aims of the project is to make all these sustainable insights available to others – the ‘right to copy’. And it’s already inspiring others, say Daphne and Olivier. “One of our partners at BAM came to us with a balustrade left over from another rebuild,” Daphne says, “and asked whether we could reuse it.” Olivier says, “It worked out great – even despite a slight difference in colour. Another small win for the building’s circularity!”