ClimaLevel Nederland

A 100-year-old tannery becomes an office loft.

A healthy indoor climate is essential for well-being and performance in the workplace. The conversion of a 100-year-old tannery into a modern office loft shows how this can be achieved even under challenging conditions. ClimaLevel Nederland, the exclusive sales partner of ClimaLevel Energiesysteme since 2007, realized the perfect air conditioning with the innovative HKL multi-floor system. ClimaLevel Multiboden also performs well in modern office buildings, as the example of the “twin new buildings” in Cologne proves. In the imposing ÖBB Tower in Vienna, the active ceiling system
CLIMATE FIX from KE KELIT, another cooperation partner of ClimaLevel GmbH, provides ideal climatic conditions. The office concepts from smow achieve an optimal workflow and inspiring atmosphere: tailor-made solutions for every budget and all-round service included.
Perfect room and working climate – that’s how offices work today!

Photo @ClimaLevel Nederland

ClimaLevel Nederland B.V. has been the exclusive sales partner of ClimaLevel Energiesysteme GmbH for the ClimaLevel Multiboden HKL in the Netherlands since 2007. Walter van Deursen’s company’s references include many exclusive family homes as well as the Michelin-starred restaurant Librije in Zwolle. Fitting out a 100-year-old tannery that had been converted into an office was one of the biggest challenges the ClimaLevel specialist has faced to date.

The ClimaLevel Multiboden HKL is suitable for any building that needs to be heated, cooled and ventilated and has already proven its qualities in a number of listed buildings. When converting the old Vermeulen tannery in Riel, the Netherlands, into an individual office loft, it was not only the architects and interior designers who faced a special challenge. For the specialists from Climalevel Nederlands, the air conditioning of the building, which is over 100 years old, was also an extraordinary project.

The client was YOPAR Holding B.V., a purchasing organization for food manufacturers that supports its customers in the procurement of raw materials, packaging and logistics services. After purchasing the listed building, the company wanted to convert it into an open, transparent office building that would offer employees a pleasant and modern working atmosphere. Great importance was also attached to a healthy indoor climate – an important prerequisite for well-being and performance. These wishes had to be reconciled with the monument protection requirements.

Preserving historical charm
The old Vermeulen tannery is considered a typical example of the development of tannery construction around 1900 and is of great cultural and historical interest. In order to realize a functional office with all the associated technologies in this precious building without impairing the imposing exterior of the building, discussions with the monument protection authority were unavoidable. But as the result shows, a satisfactory solution was found for all parties involved.

Firstly, light had to be provided, as the individual floors of the old tannery were self-contained and dark. Together, the architects and interior designer decided to completely gut the historic building and retain only the solid rafters and wooden beams. An attractive contrast to the modern metal and glass elements. Skylights allow daylight to enter the open and transparent interior. The rough concrete floor reflects the brittle charm of the historic building. The conference room is lined with thick cowhide and the desks are also covered in leather – a nice reminder of the original purpose of the place.

Photo @ClimaLevel Nederland

Photo @ClimaLevel Nederland

Photo @ClimaLevel Nederland

Invisible technology
The building technology also faced a complex task. The transparent design with many glass walls and floors called for intelligent solutions to conceal the technology. This is where the ClimaLevel Multiboden HKL was able to demonstrate its advantages perfectly: On the one hand, it combines the functions of heating, cooling and ventilation in one compact system – there is no need for radiators, air conditioning and ventilation units. On the other hand, the entire underfloor cabling can be accommodated in the multi-floor.

Optimal working climate
Despite the challenging conditions, it was possible to create an optimal indoor climate in the new office space thanks to the innovative ClimaLevel system. The heat and cold generated by an air-to-water heat pump is conducted into the rooms via the ClimaLevel Multiboden HKL. By combining a static heating or cooling surface and an air duct, it combines a slow and a fast component and can implement the desired temperature specifications efficiently and flexibly. The appropriately tempered air – preceded by a highly efficient ventilation system with heat recovery – flows into the building through the ventilation outlets positioned in front of the windows. This type of ventilation avoids unpleasant draughts. YOPAR’s customers and business partners are regularly wowed by the new company headquarters. The employees appreciate their workplace in this special place and the open, transparent design. Everyone agrees: optimum working and room climate.