Haarlem Energy Hub – Intercel Headquarters

Traditionally a closed, utilitarian industrial zone, the Waarderpolder in Haarlem has in recent years been undergoing a transformation—aimed at opening up the area and strengthening its relationship with the city. The Haarlem Energy Hub is part of this evolution. Large facade openings make Intercel’s activities visible, fostering a dynamic exchange between industry, innovation, and the urban environment.

The building is clearly divided into two functional zones:

• On the city-facing side, offices, R&D facilities, and assembly spaces are housed behind a dynamic bamboo façade.
• At the rear, the logistics zone is constructed using demountable industrial components.

This flexible structure responds to the rapidly changing market in which Intercel operates.

The design seamlessly connects with its urban surroundings. The horizontal lines of the adjacent EBH building are echoed in the canopies of the Energy Hub. The façade opens up strategically, with generous overhangs that allow ample daylight while preventing overheating. This balance supports precision work inside and contributes to a comfortable indoor climate.

The Haarlem Energy Hub is conceived as an adaptive, future-proof building. With high ceilings, flexible floor plans, and easily adjustable components, the building is designed to evolve with changing needs and technologies.

As a pioneer in the energy transition, Intercel knows from firsthand experience how evolving technologies and shifting demands can impact business operations and facilities. With high floor heights, open and reconfigurable spaces, and modular building components, the Haarlem Energy Hub is built for adaptability.

The flowing canopy design brings in daylight while keeping heat out during the summer months, reducing the need for artificial lighting and cooling. In winter, when the sun is lower, warmth is invited in, lowering heating demand. PV panels on the rear rooftop contribute to renewable energy generation on site.

Around and atop the building, nature-inclusive measures offer more space for local flora and fauna within the industrial landscape. Nesting boxes, a brown roof, and vegetation around the bioswale together form a new ecological corridor within the Waarderpolder.