Something very cool is happening in Rotterdam…

Petrarch Panels helps Coolsingel become Paris Proof

The history

Coolsingel has a history of transformation. The low-rise section of Coolsingel 93 (1957), was originally designed by architect A.A. van Nieuwenhuijzen as the Bank for Trade and Shipping. In 1993, it underwent a transformation when architect R. van Erk expanded the building significantly with a postmodernist office tower. Since this date the building and surrounding complex has gained monumental status.

Today

‘Coolsingel 93, the 23,000 m² monumental former bank building in the heart of Rotterdam, is undergoing a major renovation and transformation. After the transformation, the tower will be 25 metres taller, and its distinctive postmodernist ‘eyes’ at a height of 100 metres will offer views over the city. The office building, spanning an impressive 30,000 m², will meet the highest sustainability standards, making it one of the first large-scale office buildings in the city to be Paris Proof.’

‘Paul de Ruiter Architects is adding a third architectural layer by building 25 metres higher on the existing foundation and making the entire building more sustainable so that it meets strict future requirements while preserving historical elements and original architectural features.’ Paul de Ruiter Architects.

The modern manufacturing methodology, with history at its heart

Paris Proof in practice: A sustainable transformation 🌍🔄 🌱

C93 (Coolsingel 93) is being transformed, from a 26,000 m2 single tenant to a 30,000 m2 Paris Proof multi-tenant office. The existing tower will extend from 80 to 100 metres high. An addition made possible thanks to the careful ‘up-cycling’ of the former facade of its tower, featuring 4 cm thick slabs of pink Brazilian marble – all of which has been removed. The weight savings from this has made it possible to extend the tower while retaining the existing structure and foundation.

For this revolutionary scheme architects Paul de Ruiter turned to Petrarch reconstituted stone facade as an initial solution. Manufactured predominantly from crushed marble and stone, Petrarch reconstituted stone facades, supported the strict sustainable values of this scheme. However, worked closely with key collaborators we searched to further ways we could take the sustainability factor even higher. The outdated existing facade, featuring 4 cm thick slabs of pink Brazilian granite (no longer energy-efficient or technically viable) were removed from the building, crushed and then rejuvenated to create new, light-weight, high performance Petrarch panels. ‘The rest of the granite façade will be repurposed in the interior. As much existing material as possible will be reused during construction.

‘Thanks to this unique and future-proof approach, it has been possible to transform one of the youngest monuments in Rotterdam with respect to a sustainable future. By reusing existing construction materials, it has also been possible to be Paris Proof on embodied carbon.’ 🌱

Pete Brough, Managing Director of Petrarch had this to say:

We’re extremely proud and thankful to have been instrumental in this first of its kind project. Thank you for trusting in us, CFS Nederland BV, Blitta BV Gevelsystemen, Paul de Ruiter Architects. It has been extremely challenging, yet the result speaks for itself. We are continually looking to ways to improve and enhance our manufacturing process and this project is a real game changer, demonstrating how we can re-use existing natural materials to create modern and striking facades with history at their heart.’

Coolsingel in more detail

Sustainability in action 🌱

Though clearly today ‘sustainability’ has become somewhat of a buzzword, at Petrarch we’re constantly looking to ways to become more sustainable. This latest project demonstrates just how proactive we are in achieving this, and how we are continually looking to innovative ways to refine and recycle (up-cycle) during production. We will certainly have to take each project on an individual basis, but we will certainly look to collaborate with other developers and designers keen to adapt a similar approach. As another architect asserted just recently ‘Implementing a truly sustainable approach in practice and projects is a continuous and challenging process!’ (Chapman Taylor.)

‘One of the main objectives is to make Coolsingel 93 ‘Paris Proof,’ ensuring it meets strict sustainability standards that drastically reduce CO2 emissions. The insulated façade, special insulation glass, solar panels, and energy-efficient installations will ensure that the building consumes less than 70 kilowatt-hours of energy per metre square. This means that Coolsingel 93 will be almost energy-neutral in operation.’

Paul de Ruiter has this to say about the design intent:

“How a building looks is important. But just as important is how people feel inside it. Plenty of daylight, lots of greenery, and healthy air ensure that people enjoy being there. That is also why we are carrying out this major renovation—to allow daylight to once again enter the existing atrium. Originally, Coolsingel 93 was designed for a single tenant. After the renovation, it will be suitable for multiple tenants. Moreover, all Rotterdammers will be welcome, as the ground floor will feature meeting spaces for both building users and passersby.”

What is Paris Proof?

‘The ‘Paris Proof’ methodology was first developed by the Dutch Green Building Council to define the amount of energy demand reduction required by the built environment in order for the economy to be fully powered by zero carbon energy by 2050 and to meet net zero emissions targets under the Paris Agreement.’