In the second quarter of 2024, the XL Businesspark in Almelo will welcome a new distribution center: Panattoni Park Twente, spanning 55,000 square meters. With excellent connections by road, rail, and water, it is the ideal location for a diverse range of businesses, from manufacturing to logistics. Employee well-being and sustainability are top priorities, with the Green Delta and BREEAM-NL Excellent certification as foundational elements.
When most people think of BREEAM, they focus primarily on energy use, and while that is a significant aspect, BREEAM encompasses much more. At Panattoni, we also consider employee well-being, natural daylight, waste management, land use, noise control, material use, transportation, and ecological measures, among other factors.
BREEAM advisor Tom Linneman guides Panattoni in achieving an excellent score for Panattoni Park Twente. He explains the comprehensive process involved.
Alongside eleven colleagues, Tom Linneman provides advice on sustainable real estate from the initial design phase. Specializing in BREEAM, he advises clients on obtaining certification and achieving high scores, addressing not just energy efficiency but also employee well-being, land use, waste management, and reduction of car use.
A BREEAM-NL Excellent score requires at least 70%, and Panattoni aims for an impressive 75.08%. Tom Linneman, BREEAM Advisor
Healthy employees are the real game-changers
Employee well-being is a top priority. “That’s why the design focuses extensively on indoor air quality and both visual and technical comfort. Building codes, for example, require ventilation of 23.2 cubic meters per hour per person. Panattoni aims for 60 cubic meters per hour per person—a significant difference.”
“We’ve turned bike storage into a luxury pit stop for cyclists - covered, brightly lit, secure, and complete with showers to freshen up after your ride” Ton Linneman
A significant portion of the building features glass to enhance connection with the outside world. Cooling and heating are optimally controlled, and lighting is carefully designed.
Tom explains, “While lighting above workspaces is often well-managed, dark spots can cause fatigue. We opt for consistent lighting throughout the building to maintain even illumination.”
A significant portion of the building features glass to enhance connection with the outside world. Cooling and heating are optimally controlled, and lighting is carefully designed. Tom explains, “While lighting above workspaces is often well-managed, dark spots can cause fatigue. We opt for consistent lighting throughout the building to maintain even illumination.”
Energy and Water Efficiency
Panattoni goes beyond being ‘energy-neutral’ by aiming to generate more energy with solar panels than the future occupants will need. “The goal is to eventually return the excess energy to local residents. Currently, we face grid congestion that prevents us from feeding energy back into the grid, but the roof at Panattoni Park Twente is prepared and will be fully utilized for solar energy generation,” Tom explains.
Water usage is managed efficiently as well. “The toilets are water-saving, and any leaks trigger immediate alerts in the building management system. Each toilet has a water shutoff valve: when the lights go out and the building is empty, the water is turned off too.”
Considering the Surroundings
“From an early stage in the design process, we determine the origin of materials. Panattoni sources products from companies with an environmental management system, meaning they recycle a certain percentage of materials. This applies to all types of materials, from steel and concrete to roof cladding.” Construction sites and waste go hand in hand, with 90% of waste needing to be recycled for an excellent BREEAM score.
Ecological measures are a high priority at Panattoni. The right choices support local flora and fauna. Panattoni engaged a landscape architect to create a nature-inclusive design, which also positively impacts the BREEAM score. Tom adds, “Expect to see trees, green spaces, insect hotels, and bat roosts at Panattoni Park Twente.”
