The hidden technology behind Paleis Het Loo

Paleis Het Loo has reopened to the public after a five-year renovation. In addition to the removal of 4,500 square meters of asbestos, the crowd-puller has been given a beautiful reception area under the forecourt. But a large part of the work done is invisible to the public. FHI spoke with Sander Verbiesen and Marcel van Koolwijk of ReMe techniek about the hidden technology behind this special project.

By: Eline te Velde

ReMe techniek provides complex buildings, such as hospitals, offices and museums, with control technology cabling, switch cabinets and building management systems. With various diverse projects in their portfolio, Paleis Het Loo is certainly not the first unique building they have been involved in. During this project, they were responsible for, among other things, the control technology behind the central energy generation, the source installation, underfloor heating, air curtains, the fountain installation and the complete air treatment.

A special project

During the conversion of the residence into a museum in the seventies, a large amount of asbestos was used as a fire-resistant agent. Almost fifty years later, it was time to remove the asbestos and it was decided to prepare the palace for the future with sustainable techniques. Paleis Het Loo is a national museum and that is why this is not just any renovation project. Sander explains: “A complex project like this involves many parties. The collaboration with Building Technology was also unique in this. It is a continuous process and with every molding you remove, you can make a new discovery. It is therefore important to keep everything well coordinated.” Marcel adds: “After all, this is a monumental building, you can't just drill a hole. Everything has to be discussed and thought out.”

“With every molding you remove, you can make a new discovery.”

In addition, the Palace has an enormous national collection of over 160,000 objects. This varies from paintings to furniture and costumes. It is therefore a so-called museum environment, where air management is very important. You have to deal with special climate requirements, depending on the art that is present in a space. Sander explains that measuring plays an essential role in this: "If a museum is given a painting on loan, for example, they have to demonstrate that it is being well cared for. Reports have to be made of all kinds of things, such as audience occupancy, but also climate."   

Hidden technology

While Paleis Het Loo has undergone a major visual transformation, ReMe's work is less visible. Marcel and Sander explain that there is a huge amount of technology hidden in the palace, but that the visitor gets little of it. Marcel: "I recently returned to Paleis Het Loo as a visitor. Then I stood at the only visible part of our work, namely a temperature sensor on the wall. While we have installed and renewed seventeen control cabinets and twenty-five air handling units. It's a shame that you only see the temperature sensor."

Sander adds that a successful project is never actually seen by the public. "That's a shame, but also good, because that way the visitor can optimally enjoy the museum impression and the splendor of the building."

Now that the renovation has been completed, Marcel and Sander look back on a successful project: “It is still a palace, and it is great to be able to work on this. The technology itself does not seem exceptionally complex. But getting the air management of the new underground extension in order, with so many different air flows and the strict climate requirements, various spaces and changing visitor flows and weather influences, has become a real feat. This makes this assignment challenging in addition to the size and the planning,” says Marcel.

 ReMe techniek is a member of the trade association for Building Automation of FHI, a network in which all knowledge of building automation comes together. Do you want to know which other companies this trade association represents or do you want to read about other interesting projects? Then visit the website or Sign In for the newsletter.