Challenge
Bosman, a renowned installation company, has a history of delivering remarkable projects, including The Edge in Amsterdam, which was named the most sustainable building in the world in 2015. With such a high benchmark, Bosman's new office building, prominently located on the A1 highway near Amersfoort, aims to showcase the latest in sustainable technology.
Project manager Thomas Hercules from Bosman explains, "Our vision is to establish an intelligent building that serves as both a showroom and an innovation hub. We want our new headquarters to be a place where customers and emerging talents from schools and universities can experience the cutting-edge technologies we implement. This environment will inspire creative ideas and foster new collaborations."The challenge was to provide comfort cooling and heating in a sustainable manner, with the capability to cool and heat different parts of the building simultaneously. This had to be achieved while ensuring economic viability and financial feasibility.
Thomas Hercules adds, "Having worked with Trane on previous projects, we were confident in their capabilities. While we considered other suppliers, Trane stood out not only for their competitive pricing but also for their overall value proposition."
Solution
For Bosman's new building, two Trane Conquest CXAX reversible air-to-water heat pumps were selected. This setup allows the installed capacity to be used for heating, cooling, and simultaneous heating and cooling. The dual circuits per machine ensure excellent controllability and continuity. Additionally, the CXAX operates efficiently in all seasons and maintains a low noise level.
Thomas Hercules, project manager at Bosman, notes, "One of the key benefits of using an air-to-water heat pump is the flexibility it offers; we can install it on the roof instead of integrating it into the technical rooms. The main challenge was to mitigate any potential vibrations affecting the floors below, which is why we opted for the Low Noise version equipped with highly effective vibration dampers."Heat and cold are distributed from the heat pumps on the roof to the technical room via a 4-pipe system. Two buffer tanks in the technical room are part of the heat pump system. Heat and cold are distributed to the different floors, such as climate ceilings, underfloor heating, ventilation systems, and reheaters in the air ducts. The ventilation systems are from AL-KO Airtech, another Trane Technologies brand, with which Bosman also collaborates extensively.
Thomas Hercules highlights, "Despite having ample space on the roof, the compact size of the CXAX heat pumps is a significant advantage. Given that the installation alters the building's streetscape, we needed municipal approval, which we successfully obtained due to the unit's compact design."
Results
Bosman's new headquarters, set to be completed in the first quarter of 2025, will feature fully electric installations with no gas connection. The sustainable heat pump system will provide simultaneous heating and cooling as needed, ensuring a pleasant working climate throughout the year. One of the goals of the new Bosman building is to foster creativity and collaboration, a goal that has already been achieved before the opening.
Project manager Thomas Hercules from Bosman reflects, "What’s truly remarkable is that the installation of these heat pumps has sparked a new collaborative effort. By working closely with Walraven and Trane, we were able to evaluate the placement and engage in some innovative product development."The SBS6 television program 'Doe maar duurzaam' documented the heat pumps installation at Bosman, highlighting the innovative and sustainable approach taken in this project.
