MobiPanel green facade in renovation of Vanderveen department store in Assen

.

City centers are under pressure to remain attractive and liveable. This means less paving, more greenery, and a pleasant public realm. These elements are increasingly part of the equation. For established retailers in the city center, a major renovation offers a natural opportunity. Instead of adding greenery as an afterthought, it can be built directly into the design. Vanderveen department store in Assen has done exactly that. This family business dates back to 1897 and is now in its fifth generation. As a result, Vanderveen combined this principle with a thorough renovation of its premises on Koopmansplein. Part of this facade transformation is a MobiPanel green facade by Mobilane.

The challenge: preparing a historic department store for the future

Here’s the revised version, with shorter sentences, transition words, and shorter paragraphs: Over the course of more than a century, Vanderveen department store grew into a major retail destination. It started as a small drapery shop on Varkensmarkt in Assen. Today, it is a shop-in-shop department store with sixty departments under one roof, right in the heart of the city. This growth came about through acquiring and merging dozens of buildings in Assen’s city center. As a result, part of the facade was due for renewal by the time the current generation took charge. Under managing director Jelle Vanderveen, the goal was clear: the renewal needed to suit both the building’s historic character and the ambition to contribute to an attractive, green city centre. “It naturally provides cooling, and it gives the building a forward-looking, fresh and green appearance,” says Vanderveen about the choice for a green façade. “It also fits very well with the municipality of Assen’s vision to make the city centre greener. In recent years, the streets around the department store have been redesigned, with more room for greenery too. Therefore, the renovation and greening of the building fits seamlessly with this new street layout.” Throughout the construction period, the renovation attracted attention in Assen. On social media, Vanderveen shared interim images of the work taking place behind the hoardings. Overall, reactions from the city and from industry peers to the final result were positive. In fact, some of these reactions described it as a prestigious project with a successful outcome for the city center.

The solution: applying a green facade

As part of the facade transformation, MobiPanel was chosen: a green facade built from pre-grown panels featuring real, living plants. Features of the solution applied:

• • Pre-grown panels with real vegetation, giving a full, green result immediately after installation.
  • Modular system with interchangeable planting cassettes, suitable for application to an existing façade in a historic city center.
  • Integrated irrigation system for even water distribution to the planting.
  • Green appearance that aligns with the department store’s broader ambition to contribute to an attractive, green city center.

The green facade is part of a renovation that isn’t limited to aesthetics: the greening of the façade fits within the wider trend of city-centre retailers investing in a more pleasant, greener streetscape for visitors and local residents. When choosing a supplier, quality was the deciding factor for Vanderveen. “I deliberately chose quality. Having looked at several alternatives, I kept coming back to Mobilane every time,” says Vanderveen. “After visiting the head office in Bemmel, where I was given a tour and could see how Mobilane operates, my decision was made quickly. The system with the trays, the cassettes and the irrigation system behind them really appealed to me. I’ve also come away from it with a pleasant working relationship.”

Demonstrated impact: a well-received contribution from the green façade to the city centre

After completion, the project received praise from the city and from industry peers: on social media it was described, among other things, as a prestigious project with a beautiful result, and as a fine example of how people in Assen are working together with positive energy towards an attractive, green city center. As such, the green façade at Vanderveen department store makes a visible, valued contribution to the streetscape of the city center. Even after completion, Vanderveen remains enthusiastic about the result. “It’s exactly what I expected, and better. We’re very pleased with the end result,” he says. And that enthusiasm is widely shared: “We’ve received an enormous number of positive reactions. In the department store’s 129-year history there have been many renovations and refurbishments, but the impact of this green facade is without doubt among the top three in terms of visibility and positive response. It shows that the facade hasn’t just enriched the building, but has really struck a chord with the surrounding community.”

Results

MobiPanel green facade at Vanderveen department store, Assen

Summary at a glance

• • MobiPanel green facade as part of the renovation of Vanderveen department store in Assen.
  • Vanderveen department store has existed since 1897 and is now a fifth-generation family business.
  • The facade transformation received positive reactions from the city and from industry peers.
  • The green facade contributes to the ambition of an attractive, green city center in Assen.
  • Part of a longer tradition in which Vanderveen renews and redevelops buildings in the city center.

Why MobiPanel is effective for renovating city-centre retail buildings

This project shows that a green facade works well alongside the renovation of an existing, historic building in a city center: the system adds a full, green result immediately, without requiring a new supporting structure. For retailers renovating their premises and wanting to contribute to a more attractive, greener city center, MobiPanel offers a way to make that visible on the façade itself. See the MobiPanel product page for more information about the system. Vanderveen has clear advice for city-center entrepreneurs considering a green facade of their own: “I would definitely recommend considering a green facade. If they have any questions about it, they’re always welcome to get in touch with me.” Thermal image of the MobiPanel green facade at Vanderveen department store, Assen, visibly cooler than the bare facade.

Green facade MobiPanel at Vanderveen department store shows cooling effect

the MobiPanel green facade at Vanderveen department store in Assen provides not only a green appearance but also cooling is visible in thermal images of the building. On the planted facade, surface temperatures of 27.2°C and 38.4°C were measured, depending on the level of direct sunlight at the time of measurement. The adjacent, unplanted sections of the façade are clearly identifiable in the thermal images by their red and pink colours, indicating significantly higher surface temperatures than the planted sections. The images make the cooling effect of a green façade tangible and show the role a system like MobiPanel can play in limiting heat stress on facades in a city center. For a historic building like Vanderveen department store, right in the center of Assen, this contributes both to a more pleasant climate around the building and to the city’s wider ambition to green its center. Thermal measurements at Vanderveen department store in Assen show the cooling effect of the MobiPanel green facade: surface temperatures of 27.2°C and 38.4°C measured on the planted facade, compared with clearly higher temperatures on the unplanted facade sections.

Thermal imaging measurement data

• • Green facade (MobiPanel): 27.2°C
  • Green facade (MobiPanel), in full sun: 38.4°C
  • Unplanted facade: visibly higher surface temperature (red/pink in the thermal image)

  Frequently Asked Questions

  What is MobiPanel?

  MobiPanel is a green facade system, built from pre-grown panels featuring real, living plants. The system delivers a full, green result immediately after installation.

  Where has the MobiPanel green facade been applied at Vanderveen department store?

  The green facade was applied as part of the renovation of the Vanderveen department store building on Koopmansplein in Assen.

  Why does a green facade suit the renovation of a historic department store?

  A green facade adds a modern, sustainable layer to an existing building without compromising its historic character, and aligns with the ambition of many city centres to become more attractive and green.

  Is a green façade also suitable for other shop or retail buildings in a city centre?

  Yes. MobiPanel can be used on shops and other retail locations in city centers that want to green their facade as part of a renovation or new-build project.

Technical documentation

Download the BIM model, AutoCAD drawing and factsheet for MobiPanel via the MobiPanel product page.

Questions about a green façade for your building in the city centre?

Considering a green facade as part of the renovation of your retail or commercial premises? Get in touch with Mobilane via the link.