NACH
court building Amsterdam

After more than 10 years of experience in the field of leather applications in the interior, Alphenberg is well acquainted with the fact that leather has a softening and fire-retardant effect. But developing and making acoustic walls that meet the required values is something else. Yet, Alphenberg recognized the opportunities. And thus, within a year, a product was created that, according to us, has exceeded our expectations by far. It is obvious that process of developing a high-quality product does not always come easy. Complexity simply requires looking deeper research. And visual beauty, as a grand result, adds to the challenge.

In June 2019 we were approached to solve a problem that arose during the development of the construction of the NACH. The courthouse in Amsterdam on the Parnassusweg. The Borrenbergs company from Eersel, who are responsible for maintenance and supply of window decorations in the new courthouse, asked if we could handle an ambitious project. There were problems in all court rooms with the intended cladding of the walls. These walls, constructed in a technique that did not meet the obligatory fire safety standard, had not passed the required tests and were therefore rejected.

With a wink of course, but when you look at it you immediately understand why. Broom consists of a fire-retardant MDF frame on which a firet-linen in the correct color is stretched. Subsequently, the leather-covered semi-circular slats are attached to this frame. And so the requested ton-sur-ton effect was achieved, creating an even more beautiful and serene look. The built-up also a includes a rock wool layer which greatly improves the absorption of sound and has a strong fire-retardant effect.

And we are happy to say that the result was above expectations. Contrary to the prediction of the acoustic consultant (Peutz), we achieved a result of alpha 0.70 instead of 0.45. During the test phase, we also developed a flexible system to measure the perfect distance between the leather bars, for even further optimization. Ultimately the fire test produced a fire class C qualification, which is, admittedly, insufficient for a hotel room, but it met the required standard for using it in the courthouse..

The next step was placing the BROOM panels in the test chamber. This turned out to be slightly more complex than expected because despite the presumed standard dimensions, very little turned out to be standard. Instead of consistent dimensions, various elements such as doors, domotics and many of the spying-mirrors in doors induced an increasingly made-to-measure approach. The making a product turned out to be very complex and therefore time-consuming.

“As a team we had a towering ambition for this project. This resulted in an enormous high quality, but we also had to solve a really complicated puzzle. Literally speaking it is the interesting paradox in this project: it takes a lot of complex technology to keep things very simple.”

Even though the complete test room was not finished in time, there was enough confidence and sufficient results to measure. And based on these results, our client, the ‘Rijksvastgoedbedrijf’ (Central Government Real Estate Agency), has given its approval. After conferring with construction supervisor Heijmans,, it was then decided to continue. In such a situation time and money are the king and emperor of the project. At such a moment, is there still a choice to continue? And will it deliver what you initially assumed or what you hoped for? Yes, these are uncertain and very exciting times indeed.

We went through the colors, the material was purchased and then there was the unannounced visitor named Covid-19… Material from France could not be delivered, made-to-measure elements from Warsaw were prevented from crossing the border… investments were put on hold… a drama that affected not only us but the entire project. Fortunately, there was mutual understanding between all cooperating parties, but there was also tension. A healthy and challenging tension but tension nonetheless.

Contrary to smaller projects, you will undoubtedly encounter new challenges when you are commissioned to cover such vast surfaces. For instance the color. Leather is a natural product and no two skins are the same.