The Collection Centre Netherlands (CC NL) has won an international BREEAM Award in London. The by cepezed designed joint depot - also called the physical memory of the Netherlands - of the Rijksmuseum, the Nederlands Openluchtmuseum, Paleis Het Loo and the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed won this important sustainability award in the category 'Public Sector Project - Post Construction'.
clear winner
The BREEAM Awards jury identified this project as a clear winner. "The sustainability of the building has been a key consideration from the outset of the project. CC NL exemplifies sustainable collection conservation and management in line with the latest scientific advances and developments. The collaboration of four partner organisations in a single building generates synergy and numerous other advantages", the jury said.
minimum of installations
cepezed has designed a smart, efficient building that makes optimum use of its location in Amersfoort. The roof and the façades of the depot together form an extremely thick and highly insulating shell. The floor, on the other hand, is not insulated but is in direct contact with the ground below and thus acts as a temperature buffer. The constant temperature of between 12 and 15 degrees means that only an absolute minimum of installations are required for climate control. This is energy-efficient and (fire) safe for the art collections.
most sustainable building in the Netherlands
CC NL uses heat and cold storage, a greywater system to flush the toilets, for example, and over 3,600 m2 of solar panels (over 2,100) on the roof. Solutions such as these have ensured that the completed building has been awarded BREEAM Outstanding certification with a score of 91.6. This makes it one of the most sustainable buildings in the Netherlands.
fitting in with the surroundings
The building also takes its surroundings into account. The site design contributes as much as possible to the development of the local flora and fauna. The fact that rabbits and foxes have already been spotted frequently around the building indicates that this has been successful. Part of both the ecological landscape design and the security measures is a wadi, a natural water basin that collects rainwater and also functions as an infiltration facility for the surrounding vegetation.
the physical memory of the Netherlands
The Netherlands Collection Centre is also called the 'physical memory of the Netherlands' because it is a joint depot of four leading museums. About half a million objects are kept in Amersfoort, ranging from paintings, crafts and furniture to jewellery, clothing and clocks. "This makes exciting connections visible that previously remained hidden," according to the Rijksmuseum.
pleasant workplace
Besides being a sustainable building, CC NL is also a pleasant and functional workplace. The daylight-filled studios are one of the places where staff from the four museums can work together. There are also communal areas such as an X-ray room, a photo studio, a cold store and the quarantine and oxygen-free room. Through the atrium, employees have a view of the green outdoor environment. This has a calming and stimulating effect at the same time.
Collection Centre Netherlands wins international BREEAM Award
