2_3_DiscoverBenelux_Issue14_January2015_Scan Magazine 1 26/01/2015 19:18 Page 53

Discover Benelux |  Design & Innovation |  cepezed

easier  and  faster  to  assemble.  We  have taken  this  material  and  used  it  for  buildings. We also developed it further to create curved walls,” he explains. Another example is a semi-sheer type of textile mainly used for large, outdoor tents. The  fabric  is  made  out  of  fibre  glass coated  with  water-repellent  Teflon.  “It shields  you  from  the  weather,  rain  and wind, but it does let in a lot of sunlight and fresh  air,”  he  continues  enthusiastically. “These qualities make it an optimal material for a façade or balcony panels.” The importance of natural light is something many people underestimate: “Remember, artificial light has only really existed for 100 years, before that we’ve always lived on a day-night routine. We need sunlight. Getting the most natural light into a building is extremely stimulating for the users, so that is what we try to achieve.” The sun is also our most important source of energy, and the team at cepezed makes sure to get the most out of it. Through integrated  solar  panels  and  optimising  the

use of heat from the sun, energy use can be  kept  low  creating  more  sustainable, eco-friendly  buildings.  “This  also  applies to air, for example. We try to create a flow that uses warm air in several spaces before it is blown outside,” he comments.

Solving architectural puzzles Optimising a building’s design, to create a pleasing, organised and intuitive structure always starts as a puzzle for cepezed. But that the team is very successful at solving them is showcased by the number of prizes the company gets nominated for and wins. For their entire portfolio, in 2008 cepezed even attained the highest Dutch architectural Award, the Kubus, bestowed by the Royal Institute of Dutch Architects (BNA). One project that did prove a bit of a challenge  was  the  creation  of  a  temporary theatre inside a church, which had to be delivered  within  eight  months.  Through using an innovative approach, the project wasn’t  just  delivered  in  time,  it  turned out so successful that it will be kept permanently. “The church itself was beautiful, so we wanted to keep that as it was.

In  a  sort  of  kit-construction  we  slotted pre-fabricated  components  into  the church, creating a wonderful contrast of old and new,” Schleurholts says. This  way  of  working  is  characteristic  of cepezed. By using components that can be pre-fabricated, costs can often be kept down, construction can be completed earlier  and  buildings  become  more  flexible. “It’s all about making better use of what’s already out there; build in a smarter way. Using the kit-construction approach allows for buildings to be changed easily, making them more adjustable to future uses and thereby  more  productive,”  he  continues.          Through  their  expertise,  cepezed  has worked on many different types of building and this year they will finish the design for a new hospital in Heerhugowaard. Having put all their knowledge and skills together, this  puzzle  will  sure  prove  another  one solved to satisfaction. www.cepezed.nl

OPPOSITE PAGE: Nutricia Research, Utrecht NL (2013). Photo: Jannes Linders. TOP LEFT: European Space Innovation Centre (ESIC), Noordwijk NL (2011). Photo: Jannes Linders. BOTTOM LEFT: New headquarters 3M, Delft NL (2014). Photo: Rene de Wit. RIGHT: Westraven office complex, Utrecht NL (2007). Photo: Jannes Linders.

Issue 14 |  February 2015 |  53