Project of the month

Autohotel Kempenaar

Smart stacking with galvanized steel.

PROVIDER:

Car dismantling company Kempenaar

MAIN CONTRACTOR:

Boswijk Construction & Electro

STEEL BUILDER:

Van den Oever Steel Construction

ARCHITECT:

Griffioen Architects

STUDY BUREAU:

Consultancy firm Slot-Kemoen

BUILDING TIME:

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Lissette van de Pavoordt

Maximum storage in minimum space

The Autohotel Kempenaar works like a mobile filing system, but for vehicles. Cars are stored in three layers in remote-controlled mobile racks. This makes optimal use of the available floor space-an important requirement, since the municipality set a maximum building area of 1000 m². The canopy measures exactly 20 × 50 meters and was given a cantilever of 0.75 meters all around to stay within this limit.

Durable and robust steel construction

The entire support structure is made of hot-dip galvanized steel, chosen for its long life, excellent corrosion resistance and minimal maintenance requirements-ideal for an outdoor application with sliding racks and intensive use. The structure stands on a steel-fiber reinforced concrete floor and is spanned by eight curved trusses. The roof consists of sheet piling and features a green roof with 80 solar panels, accounting for two-thirds of the total energy consumption.

Functional design with an eye for environment

The building is located on the N225 and borders the countryside. The curved roofline and vegetation allow the building to blend into the landscape, so to speak. Inside, the space is optimized both in plan and cross-section. The forklift operator can quickly open any aisle via remote control-a change takes less than one minute. Photocells guarantee safe operation.

Smart use of every meter

Even on the low side of the canopy, the columns are positioned so that this area can also be fully utilized for racking. Mobile racks 16 meters long and 2 meters wide provide space for damaged cars that are still in good working order.