IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Patrick Maes and Simon van Oldenbeek (Stellar Development)
logistics real estate is in need of a change
By: Jessica Merkens
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Sustainability is weaved into everything we do
How can logistics real estate not only serve our global economy, but also our environment as a whole? Patrick Maes and Simon van Oldenbeek from Stellar Development are motivated to do the latter by connecting Nature, Architecture, Technology and Functionality in their destinations, and by focussing on the long term. Together with partners such as Heembouw and TRILUX they’re eager to turn this around in the logistics industry.
What is missing in the current logistics industry that you want to change?
Simon: “Maybe not specifically that there’s something missing, but there is a lot of room for innovation. If you look at a warehouse in itself from a technology perspective - and we're going to dive into our Capella alliance later on - there's a lot to gain, to learn, to do differently."
But also when it comes to involving nature in these developments. We’re not just planting some trees. We work with ecologists and landscape architects, all sorts of specialists, in order to first learn what was growing on that specific site in the past. And from there we research what can we give back to the area instead of just placing a warehouse, for example.”
Patrick: “Yes, it's in need of a change. What we see is that logistic centers are often standalone places, and we think that there's a possibility to connect these buildings to its surroundings. And also to involve it in our lives. It needs to be more connected to our civilisation in a way.”
That’s interesting. So it’s about incorporating the building in the environment.
Patrick: “Exactly. We do this in a realistic manner, supported by facts. By focussing on four very strong pillars: Nature, Architecture, Technology and Functionality. We can have a dislike about logistics and distribution centres, but we need to embrace them. We need to find solutions to involve these places in our lives because it’s unstoppable. Logistics is such a big part of our existence. We can adapt to it and make it into something better.”
Ara Almelo is one of Stellar Development’s recently finished projects. The state of the art destination is located in the eastern part of the Netherlands and was designed and built in cooperation with Heembouw. As an architectural builder, and with over 80 years of experience, Heembouw focussed on nature-inclusion in the project.
Practically, how do you incorporate nature into projects such as Ara Almelo? Simon: “So with Ara Almelo, the one architectural element that strikes your eye when you exit the highway is this ecological screen that kind of wraps around the building. It’s a parametrically designed screen from a kilometer long and 14.5 metres high. They’re planting the first line of greenery soon to create a vertical garden. As time passes and nature grows this ecological screen will be completely green. It will have a large variety of plants that bloom at different times, to provide as much food and shelter for birds and insects year-round and contribute to biodiversity in the area. This ecological screen wasn’t an initial request of the municipality or the business park itself. It was something that we found was important to do and fought for.
The ecological screen has a certain pattern and this is translated back into the interior of the building. It creates a certain subliminal effect. Whenever you enter the building and you walk into the offices, you’re embraced with the same feeling that nature and the outdoor gives. It makes you want to be there, it adds up to a certain well-being. Nature has a central place in this project, it’s what makes Ara Almelo stand out. Aside from the fact that it’s a fully functional, state of the art warehouse.”
Photo: Hydra Utrecht, Stellar Development
Photo: Virgo Aalsmeer, Stellar Development
Is sustainability a major factor in your projects? Simon: “It’s weaved into everything we do. Ara Almelo is one of the first logistical buildings that is in accordance with the EU taxonomy. Everything we do from a nature perspective is calculated back to specific goals.”
>> download the Gaia report on Ara Almelo
Technology is one of your other main pillars. For Ara Almelo, you forged a new technological alliance called Capella. What is it exactly? Patrick: “In the ‘old’ way of building logistic and distribution centers there's kilometres of plastic and copper wiring. For us it was very important to do something about this. It’s a huge step for the environment. We wanted to change that as well as to create a data and technical technological base as an added value to the end user, which usually was never pre-installed.” Simon: “We figured, why not turn it around and service the end user in such a way that she or he can immediately start their business upon delivery of the building? With something that is durable, future proof, something that's more sustainable? So instead of all the copper wires and the plastic, we only used ultra-thin polymer-optical-fiber (POF) cables provided by FiberUnlimited combined with the technology of three other partners. These companies already had the technology, we just connected the dots and put them together to create Capella.
Capella uses the lighting infrastructure and POF cables for data connectivity, lighting, security and climate control. Starting off with TRILUX, who’s offering the light. And then Mymesh for the software and FiberUnlimited that delivers the POF cables that transmits all the data. And then there’s Inotec which does the emergency lighting. Capella is pre-installed and ready to use the minute we deliver a Stellar Development destination. It’s already there, in the building. And you don’t have to take everything out in five years time when there’s something new on the market.”
Patrick: “It can adapt to new innovations in the future, such as measuring temperatures, various censoring, and at what time and capacity the light needs to be used. It’s a backbone for new technological innovations.”
What drives you personally to do this kind of work? Simon: “Something I really get out of working in this industry is not to do things differently for the sake of doing it differently. But really to innovate and change the way we look at this industry. To find a certain societal relevance for these warehouses. That’s why we talk about developing destinations. It can be so much more than just the logistical needs. And working with this level of imagination really enthusiasts me.”
Patrick: “For me, it's very easy. It comes down to my heart. I love what I do, to create something special. I love to work with people. I'm curious - about new developments, innovations. And also, I'm 52 years old at the moment. Not only do I want to do something that passionates me, but I also want to contribute to a better world. This seems like a romantic story. But we can factually point out that what we build creates this better world, creates something to which us human beings can adapt to, and we are going to feel better because of it.”
Photo: Stellar Development
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Instead of copper wires and plastic, we used ultra-thin polymer-optical-fiber (POF) cables combined with the technology of three partners. We just connected the dots
Curious about Patrick and Simon their whole story? Listen to the GIBL podcast.