SchermNed modernizes “The Diamond” in Haagse Poort

The Haagse Poort is one of the most eye-catching office buildings in the Netherlands. From Prins Clausplein towards The Hague, “the bridge” of the office building is simply unmissable. From the freeway the eye also quickly catches the round glass atrium on the left side of the building, it calls for a special solar eclipse. A job that suits SchermNed perfectly.

SchermNed installed the atrium blinds immediately after the building was completed in 1994. Founder Cock van der Voort unfolds the original project drawing and points to the date in the right corner of the now yellowed drawing. “I was only nine years old then,” laughs son Jack, the second generation now at the helm of the Naaldwijk family business, which now has some 40 employees. “Extraordinary that father and son, almost thirty years on, stand together with other colleagues tinkering during the renovation of the plant.”

aerial photo The Hague: Siebe Swart

Special utility projects

The round atrium, also called 'The Diamond', is used as restaurant as well as presentation and recreation room. A nice place with lots of light, but too much sun obviously requires darkening. “By far the majority of our projects come from horticulture, but in utilities we like to take on the challenge of special skylights, saddle roof awnings, large glass facades or complete atriums, Jack explains. “We can surprise project architects with our innovations from horticulture,” Father Cock refers to obtaining first challenging utility projects.

The circular atrium is 23 meters in diameter and is shaded by four so-called “orange segments. A linked control system puts four 380V motors to work to move the segments along with the sun via circulation chains. “In this way we ensure a pleasant climate in the room throughout the day,” says Jack, who also mentions the acoustically dampening function of blinds. “An important element in a presentation room, as is the appearance of the fabric and the installation. It looks fresh and clean.”

Cut costs

After previous maintenance work, a major refurbishment was scheduled for late 2022 and completed in early 2023. Among other things, gear sets, shaft bearings and circulation chains with 40% extra preload were replaced, motors were overhauled and the complete control system was renewed. The control system's pulse generators and proximity switches are linked to a modem, allowing remote monitoring of where the panels are. “You can switch faster during breakdowns, thus saving costs,” Jack emphasizes the benefit of this modernization.

Cock outlines the savings using a striking example. “The panels automatically slide back to the starting position at night to catch the first rays of sunlight in the morning. If a window cleaner accidentally hit a sensor earlier that afternoon, the system stops. Such a malfunction is easily fixed remotely.”

Flexibility

With the renovation, the office building is once again assured of a flexible atrium awning that is flexible, provides a pleasant climate, has acoustic damping and looks very presentable. A space in which customers and other relations continue to be surprised. “Just as we want to continue to surprise customers with our innovative solutions,” Jack concludes. “For example, my father once took the first steps in utility from horticulture, that combination still works perfectly for us.”

About SchermNed

SchermNed is the specialist in screen installations and insect netting for horticulture, utilities and garden centers. In terms of innovation, the innovative horticultural sector has been contributing to solutions for special screening projects in utility construction for decades.

The project “The Diamond” in the Haagse Poort was commissioned by Cromwell Property Group in cooperation with Technical Manager Eric Dekker of Sweco Vastgoedmanagement (technical manager) and the site manager of the Haagse Poort Steven van Bennekom.

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