The new AFAS Experience center in Leusden designed by Steef van der Veldt together with Just Architects is a huge building complex consisting of a main building with offices, a series of intermediate buildings, a restaurant and a theatre. All the buildings are connected to each other. There is also a patio with a roofed atrium, as well as a demonstration space and a sports pavilion.
The main building has been constructed in such a way that only the round core modules, exterior walls, toilet units and coffee corner have structural walls and therefore are fixed elements. Therefore, the building can be freely arranged thanks to flexible system walls.
Seen from the outside, the theatre consists of a glass hemisphere. Inside, there is a shell serving as a foyer and a communication space. Then there's another hemisphere where the theatre is located.
The AFAS Experience Center will also have a walking park with many lawns, trees and parks, terraces, benches, art objects and sports equipment.
Surrounding the AFAS Experience Center complex there is a park-like garden with a pond and many lawns, trees, terraces, benches on which you can sit and relax.
Pilkington Nederland have supplied all the glass for this huge and unique project. In total, just over 5000 m² of various functional glass was used for sun protection, fire protection and thermal insulation, among other things.
ca. 4400 m² Pilkington Insulight™ Sun Triple 62/29
ca. 400 m² Pilkington Insulight™ Sun Triple with Pilkington Suncool™ 50/25
ca. 100 m² Pilkington Insulight™ Therm Triple with Pilkington Optitherm™ S3
ca. 50 m² Pilkington Optilam™
ca. 60 m² Pilkington Pyrodur®
ca. 15 m² Pilkington Spandrel Glass Enamelled
The building complex is an excellent example of how different Pilkington glass products can complement each other in a project, both aesthetically and functionally.
Photography: Alkondor Hengelo