The Netherlands Pavilion installs solar skylights by Marjan van Aubel Studio
The Netherlands Pavilion marks yet another milestone as Marjan van Aubel Studio installs the vibrantly colorful solar panels uniquely designed for the pavilion. The skylights are made out of lightweight organic transparent solar cells (OPV), that are circular and of non-toxic materials. By combining technology, art and sustainable materials, the studio has created the solar panels of the future.
“The global energy transition is gathering pace, and solar energy is one of the driving forces behind it. Smart innovations are needed to uphold this momentum, precisely in order to make solar energy more economical and reliable, and to enable large-scale integration into our built and natural environment. Harnessing the potential of solar energy also calls for creativity and innovative strength”, says Hans Sandee, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Dubai and Commissioner General of the Netherlands Pavilion.
He continues, “We are very proud to have Marjan van Aubel’s creations at the Netherlands Pavilion. Not only does her design add aesthetic value to our pavilion, but her craftwork is also a direct reflection of our main theme of ‘Uniting water, energy and food’. It is an expression of how we can bring a sustainable change to the future”.
Van Aubel’s skylights will immerse the visitor in rays of light. Through the translucent panels, light and color reflect, refract and dance inside the pavilion. The Netherlands pavilion, also known as the ‘Dutch Biotope’, designed by V8 Architects and a consortium of partners, is a temporary circular climate system where water, energy and food solutions are intrinsically connected. The unique solar panels by Marjan van Aubel will collect energy from Dubai’s sun rays to power the pavilion. At the same time, they also allow the tinted daylight fall into the pavilion and filter the right spectrum of light which the edible plants on the food cone will utilize for photosynthesis.
Van Aubel demonstrates that the solar panels whilst collecting energy, is also a beautiful form of art too. The graphic design is made with a colored Moiré effect the lines and patterns are interacting with each other creating stunning light reflections in the pavilion. The coloured ARMOR ASCA OPV, a third generation solar technology is printed on PET foils and is produced in a sustainable manner. They are lightweight, which makes them easily transportable. The panels will get a second life after Expo 2020 Dubai and are designed in such a way that it can be easily dismantled and reassembled.
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Studio Piet Boon was commissioned to create a timeless and functional total concept for a Dutch office space. The design intent for this barn-like structure was inspired by farms in the surrounding area.
The three different elements of this typology are connected by brick ‘boxes’ with flat roofs – the second typology. The fitness centre and spa are located in a separate building creating a fourth entity that encloses a perfectly symmetrical patio with a tranquil water feature that provides significant privacy. Extending from the water feature, a protruding window provides a glimpse into the gym and showcases the wonderful views at the front of the building. The shape of the building and its large windows provide panoramic views over the surrounding golf course. In contrast to these large windows, the windows looking out towards the patio are intended to create more intimacy.
The materials for the interior have been implemented with great attention to consistency, using an abundance of natural stone. This is displayed in all washbasins, the pantries, the fireplace, and in flooring which alternates with a light wooden floor in the kitchen and the main office space of the building. Throughout the building, the design team selected soft, unsaturated colours. The plastered walls in light stucco highlight the natural color of the wooden beams. The interior creates a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor, and the timeless outdoor furniture collection enables a level of comfort and convenience that rivals the indoor living experience.
The residents of the luxury Park Hoog Oostduin in The Hague, Netherlands have recently moved into their apartments. They now live quietly in green surroundings, but in the heart of the city as well. Therefore, the access pass to their private parking garage reads “Living in the park, enjoying the city”.
In the new setting, the high-rise is called Hoge Duin (High Dune). With a structural grid of 1.80 m, the building consisted of office strips along the façades, a core strip with stairs, lifts, and shafts in the heart and corridors to the offices on either side of the core.
In total, over 180 owner-occupied and rental apartments have been realised in Hoge Duin, varying from 70 to 200 m2. Some of these are short-stay apartments. There are also a number of hotel apartments for residents’ guests. In addition, eight spacious penthouses with dimensions between 165 and 300 m2 have been realized in the former installation spaces on the roof.
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