Added value for client and environment

DC Ara harmonizes architecture, nature, technology and functionality

In September 2022, Heembouw started the construction of Ara Almelo distribution center. The state-of-the art new building on XL Businesspark Twente concerns a development of STELLAR DEVELOPMENT CV, a cooperation between Heembouw and Stellar Development BV. Ara Almelo is unique in several respects. The building with 39,119 m2 of warehouse space, 2,597 m2 of offices and 5,269 m2 of mezzanine floors is surrounded by a striking ecological natural screen about fifteen meters high and one kilometer long, so that it blends harmoniously into its surroundings. 

Ara Almelo distribution center was developed by Heembouw's own architectural firm, Heembouw Architects. "Under the title STELLAR DEVELOPMENT CV, we also develop our own projects," says Michelle Dillewaard, work planner at Heembouw. "Ara Almelo is one such development. Heembouw Architects made the design and the distribution center was sold to the German investor Union Investment Real Estate." The idea was to create a building in which architecture, nature, technology and functionality come together harmoniously, she says. "We are convinced that nature-inclusive building is the future. Near Ara Almelo is a nature reserve. The distribution center is intended to add value to the environment and stimulate biodiversity. For example, thanks to the large nature screen, which is folded around the building, as it were. What was initially put in to meet the requirements from the image quality plan will soon become a great place for birds and insects to shelter, forage and nest."

Entrance hall as a showpiece

Ara Almelo covers some 40,000 square meters and includes four units with an office, warehouse and loading docks. "All units have a uniform look and feel," says Dillewaard. "Moreover, they feature a high-end interior. For example, each entrance is enriched with a tree bank with interior plantings. The showpiece in each office, however, is the entrance hall, with a striking wooden wall finish near the stairs. The fact that the shell construction here was closely related to the finishing posed a major challenge. For example, the position of the stairs touched on the position of the interior components. As a result, we already had to take into account the interior that the architects had in mind at the front, during the structural engineering, whereas normally this only comes into play at a much later stage. So a substantially different way of thinking!" Heembouw and its partners did things for this project anyway that had never been done before. As an example, Dillewaard mentions the natural screen, but also the installation concept. "We regularly sat around the table with different parties to figure out how we could get all this done. It required some puzzling, but then it's also incredibly cool when it actually works!"

Nature-inclusive, sustainable and future-proof

Nature inclusiveness is closely intertwined with sustainability. In the design and choice of all materials and techniques, the aim was to achieve the lowest possible CO2 footprint, says Dillewaard. As a result, Ara Almelo 66% performs better than the statutory MPG (Environmental Performance for Buildings) standard, which seeks to ensure more circular and environmentally friendly construction. In addition, the distribution center will receive BREEAM-NL 'Very Good' certification. "Following the materials and techniques, we have put a lot of time and energy into developing a Last-Mile installation concept that makes the building completely future-ready: Capella by Stellar Development. This concept for data and lighting makes it possible to easily expand the installations later if necessary. For example, the empty units within the light line system can be used to add additional data cabling, additional lighting or other components." In the future, this concept will also be applied to other projects.