In the past years Verkade Klimaat has moved more often than anyone in the company wanted. From Kwintsheul they moved to Wateringen, where a devastating fire burned down the completely renovated premises. They made a temporary move to Naaldwijk. Since mid-December Wateringen is again home to the company specialized in climate installation. And not solely for horticulture; office buildings and private individuals are being supplied with installations from Verkade Klimaat. Thomas Collignon, Director Utility: “A good climate for plants and humans, that is our art.”
The depot and adjacent office of Verkade Klimaat in Wateringen
It should not come as a surprise that the Verkade Klimate’s building, where an open day was held on June 16, is stuffed with technical utilities to optimize the climate. Thomas: “As a supplier of climate installations you have to have a good climate in the office. Your office is your showpiece, so you do not want people to sweat or to be too cold.”
Thomas Collignon in his office, with completely automated and personalized climate.
Many of the current climate systems installed by Verkade Klimaat in office buildings and in private residences, find their origin in horticulture. Thomas: The first HR-boiler was used in horticulture, just as you see a transfer in the use of earth heat from greenhouses to private residences. We can only applaud to that.”
Climate ceiling
In the last renovated building, which sadly burnt down within three years, the office climate was already an important point of attention. Thomas: “In the previous building we used different climate systems in different spaces. One of those spaces had a climate ceiling. That was such a success that we have applied it in our entire building. Circular tubing pumps hot or cold water through the ceiling to heat or cool the building. By using a heat pump, gas is no longer required."
Besides lots of light, plants contribute to a healthy office climate.
Verkade Klimaat’s office building is remarkably bright and contains a lot of glass. Thomas: “In contrast to what many people think, a lot of glass does not necessarily entail a climate problem. By using outside air and recycled air intelligently, cooling does not require much extra energy.”
The air treatment closet plays an important role. The air that is being drawn from the office passes a heat wheel, recovering the most of the energy. Thomas: "Also in horticulture you see these systems more often."
Many climate systems for horticulture by Verkade Klimaat are passing the border as construction sets
Adjacent to the office, heating installations are being assembled in the depot for domestic and international transportation. Thomas: "We noticed that it is more and more difficult to find labor. Prefab is becoming more important. The systems we make, are being prepared as a construction set, so the parts will only have to be joined at their destination."
The Verkade Academy.
To tempt young people to choose a technical profession, Verkade has set up two classrooms in their depot. Students can learn the art of the trade here. Thomas: "It is really unbelievable to see there is so little interest in technology, if you only look at the challenges in sustainability we face in the future. Since recently our slogan is 'smart tech, real solutions'. By applying existing technology intelligently, we think to have the right solution, also for the offices that grow with the scale enlargement in horticulture. In the end you want a perfect climate in your greenhouse, but also in your office.
The statue in the picture symbolizes the cooperation of everyone of Verkade Klimaat to construct a complete new building in a record time of 22 weeks.
For more information:
Verkade Klimaat
www.verkadeklimaat.nl
info@verkadeklimaat.nl
This machine is from Kwintsheul which survived the fire. With a fresh layer of paint the machine is now on display in the new building in Wageningen.
Verkade Klimaat
www.verkadeklimaat.nl
info@verkadeklimaat.nl