Transforming Amsterdam Court House Acoustics

Rockfon collaborated with KAAN Architecten and Verwol to balance acoustics and design requirements.

Rockfon Mono Acoustic allows complete freedom to creativity

A Seamless, Monolithic Acoustic Solution

The new Amsterdam Court House, an impressive 50-meter-high structure, welcomed visitors in 2021 after meticulous planning. This grand edifice spans 47,250 m2 and houses offices, a restaurant, 50 courtrooms, council chambers, interrogation rooms, and detainee areas. With 1,200 employees and 800-1,000 daily visitors, it stands as the Netherlands' largest courthouse. Collaborating closely with KAAN Architecten Rotterdam and Verwol Projectafbouw, all requirements set by the NACH consortium were met.

The lower half of the building features large windows, providing street views and a sense of spaciousness. However, the extensive use of natural stone for walls and floors posed acoustic challenges, potentially leading to unwanted reverberation and echo. Architect and Project Manager Luuk Dietz emphasized the need for functionality, recognizability, and authority. He stated, "The primary process of justice is key and should not be disrupted. Despite the dynamics of this busy public place with high ceilings and stone floors and walls, the strict acoustic criteria had to be met."

To strike the perfect acoustic design balance, KAAN Architecten Rotterdam, responsible for the court's design, explicitly opted for the seamless ceiling and wall system of Rockfon Mono Acoustic to optimize acoustics.

Project info

Location

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Client

Consortium New Amsterdam Court House

Architect / Design firm

KAAN Architecten, Rotterdam

Installation

Verwol Complete Interieurrealisatie, Delft

Photographer

Marcel Steinbach / Fernando Guerra

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Press Kit

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Products used

Mono Acoustic View

Enhancing Transparency While Maintaining Speech Privacy

The courthouse, while architecturally inspiring, maintains a human-centric approach. Transparency and accessibility coexist with safety and privacy concerns. Architect Luuk Dietz noted, "The facade runs from the ground floor and up to the third floor. It's completely transparent." Rockfon Mono Acoustic's seamless, flat, and fine-grained appearance makes it an eye-catching addition while concealing services efficiently.

Additionally, Rockfon Mono Acoustic panels on the walls in the foyer ensure a seamless transition with the ceilings, preventing echoing and maintaining the desired acoustic quality. A total of 13,500 m2 of Mono Acoustics were installed throughout the building. "The great thing about this acoustic system is that it's a sleek, seamless system where it looks like a plastered wall or ceiling."

To aid navigation, the ceiling has round shutters with the same finish as the Rockfon Mono Acoustic panels, blending into the design and following the rhythm of the other components in the ceiling.

"In addition, 12,000 m2 of modular Rockfon Blanka ceiling tiles in various edges are used to create the desired design. These tiles have been placed in courtrooms, heavy traffic spots, and in the restaurant. By combining the different ceiling designs, from an elegant X-edge to a functional A-edge, it creates an alignment with extreme white and matt surfaces everywhere," Rockfon Area Sales Manager, Edgar Belonje expressed.

Create seamless, clean lines and a smooth finish

Flat, sloped, and curved in any way

Rockfon Mono Acoustic allows complete freedom to creativity

Easily integrate light, air conditioning, and ventilation

The beautiful white surface provides high light reflection and light diffusion

A Holistic Approach to Acoustics and Design

Head of Calculation and Purchasing at Verwol Complete Interior Realization, Erwin Verlegh, explained that the client Rijksvastgoedbedrijf set high standards for echo and sound absorption values for the new courthouse. He mentioned, "For this project, we often used scrum sessions with KAAN Architecten and Heijmans about how to interpret and realize the many square meters of ceiling and wall finishing."

Process Manager of the NACH Project, Bauke van der Goot, reflected on the early stages of the project, where Verwol opted for Rockfon Mono Acoustic as the best acoustic and aesthetic solution for the design. This choice was part of a broader, holistic approach to acoustics and design. He highlighted the importance of good acoustics in public areas, especially courtrooms, and how the ceiling and wall systems also served as a foundation for the artworks of artist Femmy Otten, designed specifically for the building.

Dietz stated that intensive collaboration with project partners was one of the highlights of the project. He emphasized, "Ultimately, the building turned out so well down to the last detail because all parties were equal. Not only Heijmans, but all subcontractors were treated as partners in the construction process. Collaboration with parties that are on the same page makes this a successful project."

The first hearings took place in the new court in Amsterdam on 3 May 2021.

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