“VERDOZING”, A TERM COMMONLY USED IN REAL ESTATE IN THE NETERHERLANDS. IT MEANS THAT THE DUTCH LANDSCAPE CONTAINS A HIGH NUMBER OF DISTRIBUTION CENTERS AND THAT THEY ARE STILL BUILDING FANATICALLY. IT IS NECESSARY, BECAUSE OUR GROWING ECONOMY AND EXTENDED AUTOMATION IS DOING GREAT. BUT IT ALSO INCREASES THE CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW SPACE RELATES TO ECONOMIC VALUE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. AND THEN AN IMPORTANT POINT: WHAT DO ALL THESE DISTRIBUTION CENTERS DO WITH THE LANDSCAPE? WHAT ARE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND WHAT IS OUR ROLE AS A MANUFACTURER WITHIN THIS ISSUE?
A first possible solution for “verdozen” is to cluster buildings in one place, not only horizontally but also vertically. We use as little area of the landscape as possible so that we can stay far enough away from the ‘inhabited world’. Stacking requires radical technical solutions. Where we used to pack ‘air’, we now have to deal with a lot of technology inside the distribution centers, which entails weight. In this case, a correct construction not only guarantees the safety of the building, but also ensures that the distribution center can be set up and used as optimally as possible.
SUSTAINABILITY FUNCTION
A second possible solution is to give distribution centers a sustainability function. For example as an energy generator. Why not fill the roofs with solar panels that provide the adjacent residential area with energy and perhaps also with (rain) water? For a constructor, this presents a new challenge for the roof construction, because solar panels require a different calculation than a standard roof.
ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTIONS
The beauty of the landscape is also part of the discussion. Architectural solutions for distribution centers are in their infancy. Our challenge is to find the most suitable solution for this. An example: we can integrate the distribution center with the parking and the bypass around the building. Covering this with greenery and shielding it with trees makes the appearance of the distribution center much more friendly! In addition, if you integrate the parking lot into the building, the total surface area of the distribution center can be reduced by a quarter. And how about building housing for employees against the blind facade of a distribution center? For us as a constructor, these are the challenges within our field, because we have to give a building multiple functions, each with their own construction needs.
Would you like to spar with us about the dulling of the landscape? About how we, as a constructor, can think along in a solution to your dilemma about the still growing number of distribution centers? Feel free to contact us.
Photo taken during an impressive working visit to Bozhurishte, Bulgaria.