A futuristic distribution centre catches your eye next to the motorway in Tilburg, the Netherlands. The DC New Logic III building shimmers in the sunlight thanks to its large glass façades made up of Reynaers Aluminium ConceptWall 50 solutions. Moreover, this logistics complex is the second most sustainable distribution centre in the world, which is why it received a BREEAM Outstanding certification.
Home of Rhenus Logistics, this distribution centre is one of a kind. Architect Hung Tran of Habeon Architecten got inspired by the nearby motorway: when you pass the elliptical building at high velocity, it creates stunning visual effects. Glimmering round shapes in steel, glass, and aluminium give the building its unique character and look. The surprising “Tube” hosts the main office spaces and loading bays, while a rectangular warehouse keeps the packages safe behind a partition wall.
The distribution centre looks amazing, but it is also built to support its visitors as best as possible. Take the large cut-out in the Tube, for instance. It serves as a sun shade for the office and the mezzanine floors behind it, creating a pleasant working environment for all. To complement the shade, the wide curtain wall façade and the glass end walls allow daylight to enter the centre all day long. Portalume Systemen, specialist in aluminium façade technology, produced, supplied and installed over 3,700 square metres of aluminium curtain walls. Hung Tran explains his choice for our ConceptWall 50 profiles: “This aluminium system allows you to create very slender glass features. We could keep the visible lines as minimal as possible, which gives way to even bigger glass surfaces. And as an additional advantage: aluminium frames are maintenance-free, which makes them the perfect fit for large distribution centres.”
A distribution centre for the future
Behind the fancy façade lies a green story: the DC New Logic III is a sustainable building first and foremost. You can tell by the eco-friendly solutions included in its design. Triple insulation glass in the façade and roofs, for instance, keeps the cold out and brings in the light. But there is more. Thanks to integrated solar panels and heat pumps, the building now produces more energy than it consumes. And because hard work should be rewarded, New Logic III achieved a BREEAM Outstanding sustainability certificate with a spectacular score of 99.48%. It is the second most sustainable distribution centre in the world!
“Developments in the logistics sector are moving fast,” says Tran. “If we want these buildings to remain operational for a long time, we need considerate and responsible design plans.” It is simple: if you want to create a distribution centre for the future, you need sustainable materials in your plans. Reynaers Aluminium’s innovative solutions can help your wishes become a reality.
