Paris Proof national monument as new Haskoning office in Delft
Project facts
- ClientHaskoning
- Parties involvedHaskoning (PM & Engineering, Architect Monument Shell), SPIE Nederland (Main contractor), Braaksma & Roos (Architect Monument Shell), Fokkema&Partners (Interior architect)
- LocationDelft, the Netherlands
- ChallengeRenovation of the monumental Mining Engineering building from 1912 to create an inspiring and sustainable Paris Proof working environment while preserving the historic character and making the building suitable for the modern workplace concept
- Date2025
- SolutionApply various sustainable measures such as insulation, renewable energy sources and advanced climate control systems. As a result, the building is energy-efficient and completely gas-free and the historic character is preserved.
How do you make a national monument sustainable?
The central questions in the design process were: how can we transform an existing building into a modern working environment for our employees and how can we ensure that the accommodation actually contributes to our primary process? Networking, collaboration and sharing knowledge are central within our organisation and a building and the environment need to contribute to that. The location of the new building was also important. We wanted to develop an exemplary project and that was why we chose the Mining Engineering building in Delft. And we saw that contact with the environment developed even before we started using the building.In addition, our aim was to create an environment that can serve as a kind of testing ground where new developments and technologies are used to inspire clients. For instance, at our office in Amsterdam the focus was on urban development and now the emphasis in Delft is on becoming one of the most sustainable national monuments. That is quite a challenge in practice because how can you get a national monument to meet the requirements of Paris Proof and Net Zero? And how do you ensure that a building from 1912 which presents technical challenges such as moisture problems, asbestos and contaminated soil can go on for at least another 50 years?
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Sustainable solutions for a Paris-proof national monument
The office had an ambitious sustainability goal: To be Paris Proof, the building had to be 100% renewable and highly economical to use. Ultimately, we reduced the building's energy consumption by 80%, making it Paris Proof.
This increase in sustainability was achieved by insulating the windows and roof, among other things, and by adding solar panels, a WKO installation, and a demand-controlled user installation for lighting, climate control, etc. Additionally, the building is now completely free of natural gas. Meeting the requirements of the Paris Proof standard is challenging enough when renovating a normal building, but it is an even greater challenge for a national monument.
New look at the workplace
Within our organisation, we focus on sharing knowledge. We see learning on the job and innovation on the job as critical factors for success, for example. Part of our strength lies in applying knowledge from one sector in another sector. With the move to working from home, we have seen this give rise to a challenge due to the fact that it is now not as easy to learn from colleagues and other professionals around you. For this, you want an open office environment that is people-centric and facilitates meetings. Our new working environment on the Delft campus makes a significant contribution to this.In the design strategy for the Delft office, we focused on optimising opportunities for meetings. For instance, we have encouraged people to meet at coffee points, shared work spaces, landing places and in corridors. Take the queue for the coffee machine, for example. If people start talking to each other, standing in line actually becomes an unplanned chance meeting whereas if they reach for their phones, the queue can cause annoyance. So you try to find the perfect balance. In the building, changes have been made to facilitate both meeting and undisturbed working. Numerous soundproof pods, rooms and landing places have been added to make this possible.
This office is a beautiful workplace that will stimulate collaboration and innovation. We show how you can sustainably preserve valuable cultural heritage for future generations.
Sustainable solutions for a Paris-proof national monument
The office had an ambitious sustainability goal: To be Paris Proof, the building had to be 100% renewable and highly economical to use. Ultimately, we reduced the building's energy consumption by 80%, making it Paris Proof.
This increase in sustainability was achieved by insulating the windows and roof, among other things, and by adding solar panels, a WKO installation, and a demand-controlled user installation for lighting, climate control, etc. Additionally, the building is now completely free of natural gas. Meeting the requirements of the Paris Proof standard is challenging enough when renovating a normal building, but it is an even greater challenge for a national monument.
Sustainability in figures
Added value of the right expertise
A lot of disciplines and stakeholders have been involved in the project, both external and also internal. Because of the wealth of expertise we have in-house, many of our own specialisms have been included in our future 'calling card'. The multidisciplinary approach has made this project quite complex because some components can also contradict each other.
For specific project components, we have also involved external dependent consultants. We brought in a monument architect, for example, with specific knowledge in this specialist area, and also carried out extensive cultural and environmental research.
Asset management of a sustainable monument
While the asset management of our new office building is being kept in-house, the actual maintenance will be contracted out again. This approach enables us to maintain the highest standards of quality while remaining flexible with our operational strategies at the same time.One important aspect of our asset management is the use of scenario plans. These plans enable us to regularly assess whether all systems and processes are working properly. Not only do these assessments allow us to identify and resolve any problems early on, they also enable us to plan future maintenance and improvement schedules proactively. By following this strategy, we can create a working environment that is not only efficient and reliable but also sustainable and future-proof.
The new office in the monumental Mining Engineering building in Delft is officially occupied since May 2025. This sustainable and innovative office provides an inspiring workplace for our experts and serves as an exemplary project that shows how historic buildings can meet modern requirements for sustainability and efficiency. Read more about the development of future-proof and sustainable buildings.
