Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
"Perhaps it is a separate idea that our beautiful glass disappears underground, but there glass has a clear function. With glass you transport the scarce daylight that enters. Moreover, the glass is easy to get rid of any graffiti in the future and glass walls provide security because everything remains in sight," Roelofsen opens the conversation.
Interior Glassolutions tries to meet the client's needs in everything. "We translate what the client wants into the right glazing. We can handle any project from A to Z, from design, engineering, production to on-site assembly. Even if this involves constructional facilities, such as the access area of the bicycle basement," Roelofsen outlines. What are the reasons for choosing glass as a building material, we ask. "It's because glass is so versatile. We are strong in soundproofing, fireproofing and decorative glass and don't turn our hand to specials. For example, the glass walls used underground at De Entree are partly printed with works of art, partly with a pattern that was also used at the North/South Line, in the tunnel. And speaking of specialties: what about round curved glass walls?"
The design for the printing on the glass walls in the tunnel to the subway distribution hall comes from Bethem Crouwel Architects. The design for the printing on the glass walls in the bicycle basement comes from the parking's architectural firm, wUrck, in collaboration with the Amsterdam Museum. "Precisely by applying glass in a large space and adding aesthetic value to it, you create connection. As a building material, glass is perfectly suited. For the North/South Line and the Cuyperstrap, we chose patterned glass with screen printing, in a hard laminated safety version, 13 mm thick," Roelofsen lists."
Glass is used liberally in the bicycle basement. "At the stairs to the top, at the space under the quay there, at the bike shop and all the way around, a glass strip with a brilliant work of art. A total of 1,000 meters of glazing is involved. The tallest glass panel measures 7 meters."
Since Interior Glassolutions not only manufactures, delivers and assembles the glass, but also has to make the structural arrangements for the assembly, there is a lot of engineering in the job. "And we are happy about that," Roelofsen continues. "Because that allows us to assert our expertise. The more complex a job is, the more interesting we think it becomes."
"Supply via ships is also ideal for us in this situation. The panels are so big and there are so many of them that we would have had to go through the city center with several trucks. That wouldn't even have been possible under the current regulations in Amsterdam, by the way. Our glass is transported safely, efficiently and without hindrance by boat to the location," concludes Roelofsen.
