European Patent Office EPO Rijswijk
A real eye-catcher
The new office of the European Patent Office (EPO) is located in Rijswijk. The building is a real eye-catcher with its steel construction and glass exterior. It seems to float above the water thanks to the large amount of water surrounding the building. The building is constructed from more than 10,000 tonnes of steel, making it the largest steel structure in the Netherlands of this quality. The office also has a total glass area of 100,000 m².
FOAMGLAS® insulation T3+ with a thickness of 120 mm was chosen for the insulation of the waterfront roof. The material was installed over a total area of 4000 m² according to the FOAMGLAS® Compact Roof principle, whereby the three base layers (supporting structure, FOAMGLAS® cellular glass, and the waterproofing layer) were fully adhered, and the joints sealed with hot bitumen. The FOAMGLAS® Compact Roof System is a completely closed and homogeneous insulation system, which means that it is waterproof and has no open joints or seams through which water can seep. This prevents water from entering the roof structure and causing damage. The system provides an extra level of safety on top of waterproofing. If the waterproofing membrane leaks, the underlying FOAMGLAS® insulation material provides additional safety due to its complete water and vapor tightness; it is, in essence, insulation and moisture protection in one.
The FOAMGLAS® Compact Roof is also highly suitable for supporting the water roof system because it can withstand heavy compression loads. The system ensures even load distribution across the roof, resulting in a stable and safe roof structure.
