Virgo Aalsmeer

Hydra Utrecht

Ara Almelo

Norma Wijchen

Vela Waddinxveen

Taurus Moerdijk

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Destinations

Ara Almelo specs

Birds eye view of Ara almelo

Nature highlights 

Ara Almelo is one of the first buildings in the Netherlands to meet European sustainability requirements – EU Taxonomy.

What is special about Ara Almelo 
is the green integration into the twente bocage landscape: the semi-open landscape with plots protected by hedges and wooded banks. The unique green screen and the pool to be constructed create a natural connection with this characteristic landscape. The size of the screen is excellent in relation to the size of the built environment. The screen, completely covered with greenery, acts as a strong ecological link between the activity and the surrounding nature.

Nature, architecture, technology & functionality

Inspired by the bocage landscape.

Architect's quote 

The green wall creates an inner & outer world. The inner world is business like and fully equipped for logistical efficiency. The outside world is as natural as possible, including: flower-rich grass, semi-paved where possible, climate-adaptive and of course as green and biodiverse as possible with nesting options for different types of animals. The screen is the dividing line, but also the connection between the two worlds. What’s special here is that from the inner world there is a view of the green screen everywhere: people will experience that they are staying in nature.  

The longest & largest green climbing plant wall in Europe

The green wall creates an inner & outer world. The inner world is businesslike and fully equipped for logistical efficiency. The outside world is as natural as possible, including: flower-rich grass, semi-paved where possible, climate-adaptive and of course as green and biodiverse as possible with nesting options for different types of animals.

Creating a green connection

Surface area

Nature Dot Slider

The idea for the green screen arose organically, in close collaboration withour partners such as a landscape architect, climbing plant specialist, ecologist and a structural engineer. The contribution of so many different expertises has been decisive for the result. We wanted to get the most out of the plot and make a maximum contribution to the biodiversity of the area. Above all, we wanted to include the interests of people, nature and animals in the assignment: Stellar Development and Heembouw have the ambition to combine nature-inclusive construction with a logistics destination of the highest quality. All this comes together in Ara Almelo.  

Design that focuses on the interests of people, nature and animals. 

Ara almelo wall 

In our vision, sustainability is a fundamental pillar of every logistics destination they develop, including Ara Almelo. One of the ambitions is to achieve a BREEAM 'Very Good' score by saving on energy requirements. For example, a number of skylights are being realized on the roof and translucent facade panels are used in the facade. This allows more daylight to enter and the lighting can even be partially switched off on bright days.The destination generates its own energy via solar panels that are mounted on a large part of the roof. Sustainable materials are used to optimize the shell of the building. For example, steel sandwich panels were chosen for the facade.

One of the first buildings in the Netherlands to meet European sustainability requirements – EU Taxonomy.

Unique material choices for Ara Almelo.

Architect's quote

Floor plans 

XL Business Park Twente is a multimodal business park that is easily accessible by road, water and rail. Its location on the Twente Canal and the presence of the inland terminal Combi Terminal Twente (CTT) makes it the ideal location for inland shipping connections with Rotterdam and Hamburg. Twente Airport is located in the immediate vicinity (15 minutes drive). 

The destination is also easily accessible for employees who rely on public transport. Almelo NS station is only 7 km away and has regular bus connections to XL Business Park Twente. The bus stop is two hundred meters from the destination and connects Oldenzaal with Almelo station.

Area view

location

Completion Q2/Q3 2023

Ara Almelo DRAFT

Hydra Utrecht specs

Birds eye view of Hydra Utrecht

A special feature of Hydra Utrecht is the incorporation of greenery (nature) into the urban environment that is inherent to building on a brownfield. Nature-inclusive features were given a fundamental role in the design, which created a strong relationship with the immediate environment - a pleasant destination, combined with inviting architecture that contributes to biodiversity.

The sprinkler tank, an innovative nature-inclusive statement, positioned centrally on the property, functions as the largest permanent insect hotel in Europe. Water management was also an essential topic within Hydra Utrecht. We significantly improved water management for people and animals in this project, contributing to climate-resilient area for local residents.

Bringing nature back to the urban environment of Lage Weide.

Nature highlights

We decided to put the sprinkler tank in the middle of the site, very present, and turned it into a unique feature; a huge insect hotel. This interpretation was created by bringing together all the expertise needed to make it work. For example, the architect devised the frame of the tank and the types of plants were chosen by the landscape architect. We have considered the best route for placing this flora, so that it is functional for fauna that live here. The sprinkler tank will be the largest insect hotel in Europe and thus a sign of this nature-inclusive building. Something we are proud of.

The innovative sprinkler tank will become the largest insect hotel in Europe.

As an ecologist, I am involved in the development of the Stellar Development destinations. From an ecological perspective, I will explain what happens when you put up a huge building, and then what it takes to embrace nature. Take the function of the ivy, for example. It is a plant that you can easily grow against a façade and is a nice green solution for an architect, as well as having great ecological value for insects. But the way you do it is crucial. For the growth and maintenance of ivy, a good basis needs to be established in order to provide adequate shelter and nesting opportunities for birds. The installed bat boxes should have enough space and be accessible, vegetation should not cause any hindrance here. The bats will soon benefit from the insects that come to the ivy.

Optimal biodiversity at the building & area level for humans and animals.

Nature Dot Slider 

Sustainability is a fundamental part of the Stellar Development brand, as for Hydra Utrecht. Working on a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ score for the development, the starting point here is the ambition to save on energy needs. To achieve this, translucent façade panels were applied, this way more daylight enters the building. Sustainable materials are also used to optimize the building's envelope. For the façade, we used sandwich panels, which are light and also ensure 12% less use of material. The necessary techniques to achieve this BREEAM certification were applied to the components of general temperature control, monitoring and measuring energy consumption, among others.

Hydra Utrecht is certified as BREEAM® Very Good, a sustainable destination.

Unique material choices for Hydra Utrecht.

Hydra Utrecht façades

Being an architectural builder Heembouw has the perfect starting position to carefully select building materials at an early stage. That choice positively impacts the MPG score - Dutch government’s tool to measure the environmental impact of materials used in the construction. Typically this is used for homes and office buildings, but we are introducing this to Stellar Development’s destinations too, resulting in actively lowering its carbon footprint. As an example, at Hydra Utrecht, we reuse concrete and masonry rubble, which contributes to the improved MPG score, among other things. The government’s MPG standard is 1.0, the Hydra Utrecht destination without solar panels and energy supply comes out to 0.56. That’s 44% below the norm. A wonderful achievement in sustainability.

Circular construction contribute to greatly reduced CO² footprint.

The concrete & masonry debris from existing buildings on site - traditionally considered as waste - was collected and processed into mixed granulate. We used it as the concrete underlayer for the building’s hall and pavement.

From waste to resource.

Vehicle charging stations in Hydra Utrecht

Electric car charging points are provided at the parking areas for users and visitors, entirely powered by sustainably generated energy and available to everyone. These parking areas will be constructed of semi-paved surfaces and accompanied by various types of native plants, shrubs and trees. The entire building will be equipped with LED lighting. The rows of LED lights in the aisles will be equipped with presence detection sensors, eliminating wasted active hours. With a roof area of nearly 20,000 m², nearly 1,000 households can be supplied with electricity after installation of optional solar panels.

Technology highlights

Coordinator's quote

Water retention crates

The site will be designed for functionality and safety with separate traffic for people and freight. One driving direction applies to the entire site, and the site is accessed by an exit on the Niels Bohrweg. Additional traffic signs will also be installed to regulate traffic flow. It goes without saying that sufficient attention will also be paid to road safety during the development. For maintenance and escape routes, a path in semi-paved material will be constructed around the property. 

Separate passenger and freight traffic. Private entrance to the parking lots.  A semi-paved path around the building. Entrance accessible for reach trucks and narrow aisle trucks.

Functionality highlights

Floor plans

Hydra Utrecht is centrally located in the Netherlands, in the Lage Weide business park. It has excellent accessibility by road, rail, and water. The A2 highway is less than five minutes from the destination, same as CTU's inland terminal. Schiphol Airport is only thirty minutes away.
This ensures perfect positioning between Utrecht, The Hague and Amsterdam, offering an excellent opportunity for parties looking for a state-of-the-art destination for city distribution or regular distribution.

Location

Conclusion Q4 2022

Hydra Utrecht is an excellent opportunity for parties looking for a state-of-the-art destination for city distribution or regular distribution. Certified with BREEAM® Very good.

Hydra Utrecht overview

Hydra Utrecht OLD

Virgo Aalsmeer specs

Birds eye view of Virgo Aalsmeer

Virgo Aalsmeer construction updates`

Virgo Aalsmeer is special on account of its nature-inclusive character, which fits seamlessly with the ambitions of Schiphol Area Development Company and the City of Aalsmeer for the Green Park Aalsmeer business park. Thanks to our collaboration with ecologists and landscape architects, we can confidently predict that this building will soon blend in with the local flora and fauna, occupying a prominent and special place in the overall area.

Nature, architecture, technology & function

Our architects also took in account to design a sustainable and green appearance of the plot. For example, part of the parking spaces that will only be used during peak hours is provided with semi hardening. This creates a parking field that will also look attractive when there are little or no cars on it. The green zone along the A326 highway is provided with a lot of greenery, which reduces the view on parked cars on the plot. A row of trees along the facade provides even more greenery and tranquility.

Bio-diversity is paramount for us. Therefore we designed the rooftop garden of 2000 m².

Inspired by the Westeinderplassen heritage.

Joost Emmerik Garden Design and Research

The ambition is to make the distribution center as sustainable as possible. Virgo Aalsmeer is working on a Breeam ‘Very Good’ score for the development. The starting point is to save as much as possible on energy needs. In addition, we are using sustainable materials to optimize the shell of the building. For example, we selected Kingspan Quadcore sandwich panels for the façade, as they are light and use 12% less material. To achieve this certification, we will apply effective technology to control temperatures, and monitor and measure energy consumption, among other things. The basic construction of the building consists of a steel skeleton with optimized dimensions and a main wooden supporting structure for the roof. All wood used in the building is FSC-certified.

Virgo Aalsmeer is certified as BREEAM® Very Good.

Front entrance of Virgo Aalsmeer

Virgo Aalsmeer is designed to connect nature, architecture, technology, and function.

DC Bijsterhuizen is easily accessible by highway: located directly on the A73 and A326 and 5 km to the Ewijk / A50 junction, the industrial area is centrally located near Nijmegen. The plot is also favorable for traveling with public transport. There are several bus stops in the industrial area Bijsterhuizen and a short distance to NS stations Nijmegen Dukenburg (1.5km) or Wijchen (3.4 km) with regular connections from Nijmegen to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Düsseldorf and Brussels. Ideal for colleagues who rely on public transport.

DC Bijsterhuizen

Virgo Aalsmeer’s warm and welcoming look is the result  of the wooden beams that  are incorporated into the construction.

Biodiversity Dot Slider 

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Virgo Aalsmeer Big Two Images Text

Equipped with custom-built, integrated nesting boxes.

Equipped with the latest technology, designed with the future in mind.

Hall prepared for splitting into units Sprinkler system with certificate per tenant part two overhead doors with connection to size field.

Designed with the future in mind.

This sustainable, state-of-the-art distribution center is ideally located in the heart of the Metropolitan Region Amsterdam (MRA), between Schiphol and Royal Floraholland, the largest flower auction in the world. With the airport just 10 minutes away, this is a prime location for companies targeting the international market.

A gateway to the world.

Conclusion April 2022

Virgo Aalsmeer will be the future of logistics real estate, a destination where people want to be. Certified with BREEAM® Very good.

Virgo Aalsmeer OLD

Virgo Aalsmeer is special on account of its nature-inclusive character, which fits seamlessly with the ambitions of Schiphol Area Development Company and the City of Aalsmeer for the Green Park Aalsmeer business park. Thanks to our collaboration with ecologists and landscape architects, we can confidently predict that this building will soon blend in with the local flora and fauna, occupying a prominent and special place in the overall area.

Roof garden of Virgo Aalsmeer

Co-designing the environment around distribution centers is a completely new and different assignment for me. These large sites, hardly visited by anyone, offer opportunities for flora and fauna to flourish. For example, the long pathways alongside Virgo Aalsmeer, where we created a flower-rich grassland. Together with ecologist Matthijs Bokje of De Groene Ruimte, we decided to focus on the animals and insects that already live in the vicinity, by using our nature-inclusive approach to provide food and habitat for them. This significantly lowers the threshold for it to actually be used, so we are really adding something here. It is really well thought through. When I heard about the roof garden in Virgo Aalsmeer‘s design, I loved it right away. It’s really special that the roof garden has such a prominent role in the design, and that it’s so big – almost 2,000 m²! Plus, it’s not just for people, but also for insects and animals, with large areas of vegetation. As you approach the center you can already see the roof garden. I hope that it will make people curious and prompt them to look at and experience it. For example, people can spot which insects live there, and how the dynamic planting looks different every season.

The flora & fauna around the building is selected to flourish in the context of the location. 

Composed of carefully selected materials and colors.

The LED lighting in the aisles is equipped with presence sensors, so it will not consume unnecessary energy. LED lighting will also be used throughout the building. The 1,900 m² biodiverse roof garden forms a green oasis for birds and insects. To keep this roof garden green, a maintenance irrigation system has been integrated into the building. There are charging stations for electric vehicles in the passenger vehicle parking area. These charging points are fully supplied with sustainably generated energy. Both staff and visitors can use the charging stations. With a roof area of close to 20,000 m2, almost 1,000 households can, after the installation of PV panels, be supplied with solar electricity.

1,900 m² rooftop garden. 12 electric charging stations. LED lighting in the aisles. 20,000 m² area of solar cells.

Virgo Aalsmeer location

For the sake of safety, the entire plot will be furnished with separate parking and logistics areas. In addition, a single driving direction will apply across the site, and access to the plot on Hollandweg will be by a separate dedicated road exit. A semi-paved path will be constructed around the building for maintenance and escape routes. The column structure in the building has been intelligently chosen to allow the use of both a narrow aisle truck and reach truck aisle pattern.

Separate parking and logistics areas. Private road exit to the parking spaces. Semi-paved path around the building. Entrance accessible for narrow aisle trucks and reach trucks. 

Our current destinations in development.

Completed April 2022

Virgo Aalsmeer

Opening Q4 2022

Hydra Utrecht

Q3 2023

Ara Almelo

Coming soon

Norma Wijchen

Coming soon

Vela Waddinxveen

Coming soon

Taurus Moerdijk