As part of the general plan for the development of transport in Antwerp until 2020, on behalf of the transport company De Lijn, a tram depot complex was built - a "turning circle" for new tram lines from the center to the eastern periphery of the city.
The building was designed by the GILA-based ARCHILE5 Architectural Bureau (project architect - Stephen Donne), whose experts, among other things, drew their inspiration from ROCKPANEL panels, finding in them the material for an effective, durable and aesthetically verified embodiment of their idea.
“This new depot is primarily a functional facility,” says architect Donne. “It was designed on the basis of a specific tramway layout. It should have space for 50 tram stops and a power station. And one should take into account the possibility of future expansion of both the track system and the building itself. The complex includes a large parking lot, workshop and administrative premises. Our challenge was to design the building in terms of space, maintenance and cost efficiency. And we succeeded”.
ROCKPANEL and the dynamics of mobility
ROCKPANEL has been part of the architectural plan from the very beginning. “The facade of the building is like a curtain. The unique flexibility of these façade panels made it possible to incorporate the desired downward movement into the structure. The building seems to be following the traffic. This corresponds to the dynamics of the tram as a starting point."
ROCKPANEL panels stack on top of one another. This creates a dense structure and, at the same time, an interesting play of lines, literally emphasizing the function of the building.
The result of constant interaction
Perforation, ease of installation and ease of maintenance are further arguments in favor of ROCKPANEL panels. But above all, the architect Donne appreciates the intellectual potential of Roskanel. “Working with us, ROCKPANEL employees have helped us make the impossible possible. We regularly met with the company's specialists in order to find a solution to a particular problem together. In particular, we worked a lot together to find the right perforation to achieve the desired effect. ROCKPANEL also performed a trial installation so that you can see and measure everything."
ROCKPANEL Metallics as a metaphor for "De Lijn"
In this project, the choice of the architect fell on ROCKPANEL Metallics, which most fully corresponded to his wishes for the decor of the building. Roscrapel Metallics produces a very beautiful play of light. This is exactly what we wanted. This panel has all the advantages and characteristics of the base product and is also equipped with an anti-graffiti coating. When constructing a public building, this should not be neglected …"
The result of the work is a complex, although it is intended mainly for trams, but which will undoubtedly please and interest the employees of "De Lijп", passengers and passers-by. It is an exceptional example of creativity, efficiency and durability.
About company
The ROCKWOOL CIS division is part of the ROCKWOOL Group of Companies - the world leader in stone wool solutions.
The products are used for insulation, sound insulation and fire protection and are intended for all types of buildings and structures, as well as for shipbuilding and industrial equipment. ROCKWOOL provides consulting services in the field of energy efficiency of buildings, supplies system solutions for facade insulation, roofing and fire protection, decorative façade panels, acoustic suspended ceilings, acoustic barriers for road noise protection and anti-vibration panels for railways. Russian production facilities ROCKWOOL are located in the city of Zheleznodorozhny, Moscow region, inVyborg, Leningrad Region, Troitsk, Chelyabinsk Region, and SEZ "Alabuga" (Republic of Tatarstan).
For more information on the implementation of engineering and design solutions with Rockwool, see the objects of leading Russian and foreign architects.
