Deka Immobilien’s The Edge office building in the Zuidas district of Amsterdam is one of the most innovative buildings in the world and sets new standards for the sustainable workplaces of the future: intelligent architecture, sophisticated design, state-of-the-art technology, maximum comfort and an optimal indoor climate. What’s more, all of these features are combined in a building that generates more energy than it uses.
Multiple certifications
The Edge received BREEAM New Construction sustainability certification with a rating of Outstanding, and from 2014 to 2016 achieved the highest score received so far for a sustainable office building anywhere in the world. In 2016, The Edge also won the BREEAM Award in the Office New Construction category. In addition, The Edge was awarded WiredScore Platinum certification, meaning that the office building in Amsterdam demonstrably meets the highest standards in terms of connectivity, digital infrastructure and future security.
Energy-positive
The Edge is not just energy-neutral, it’s energy-positive. Intelligent materials and technology, such as electrochromic glass that allows building users to control how much light is let through, smart LED lighting systems and clever architecture ensure efficient energy consumption. The Edge was built to allow optimal use of sunlight; daylight illuminates the rooms without affecting the indoor temperature. There are also 660 solar panels on the façade and the roof, supplying enough energy to cover all the building’s electricity requirements. The energy is fed into a geothermal system to make the building self-sufficient in terms of heating and cooling. Not only that, the energy can also be used for other tasks like charging electric cars.
Biodiversity
The specially designed natural green space around the building provides a home for bees and bats and also features insect hotels. The green space separating the building from the nearby motorway serves as an ecological corridor that allows animals to cross the area safely. Rainwater collected on the roof of the building is used to water the greenery.
Smart office
Around 30,000 sensors and a mobile app for the building provide intelligent networking. Other features such as automated parking space assignment (with electric vehicle charging stations), an intelligent room booking and lighting system and continuous optimisation of temperature, light intensity and air quality make the building both highly efficient and extremely comfortable.