Pharos – Hoofddorp

Pharos: one of the healthiest offices in the Netherlands
The renovation of the 25000 m² Pharos building next to the Hoofddorp railway station was completed in 2021. In consultation with De Nieuwe Draai Foundation, Cairn Real Estate formulated four ambitions that form the basis upon which the project was realized: total energy, maximum health, zero waste, and vibrant community. Over thirty companies were selected to contribute to the renewal of Pharos with their innovative products.

Colored solar façade
These innovative products include Kameleon Solar’s colored solar panels for façades. For Pharos, Studio Solarix used Kameleon Solar’s ColorBlast Design technology to create a radial gradient design on the solar panel. Normally, applying multiple colors to a single module can create hotspots, a potential fire hazard, but Kameleon Solar’s self-developed software and color quality systems enabled the company to exactly match Studio Solarix’s design on the PV module without risk. Kameleon Solar’s colored PV panels were combined with Sorba Projects’s Alpolic façade elements with integrated LED lights to create a unified façade element.

PHYSEE
Pharos is equipped with energy-efficient windows with SmartSkin technology developed by PHYSEE. These so-called Power Windows are fitted with solar strips that generate energy to operate the electric blinds and to charge telephones. This not only makes a difference in power consumption, but also ensures that new power points do not have to be installed everywhere inside.

Green roof
On the low-rise part of Pharos, a new insulation layer was implemented by Koninklijke Ginkel Groep as a green roof. The advantage is not only better insulation, but also better storage of rainwater in the otherwise rather stony office environment. In addition, Beehives are placed onto the green roof to benefit biodiversity.

Organic restaurant and more
The green and kitchen waste from the organic restaurant Cape Karpa, designed by interior architect Sheryl Leysner, is separated daily. An Ecocreation composting machine processes it into compost in less than 48 hours. The compost is available to farmers in the area, who in turn are suppliers of the restaurant. Great attention is paid to the air purity of the indoor climate. Thanks to Ionair’s ionization technology, its quality is almost equal to that of naturally pure air in the mountains. The advantage is not only fitter employees, but also less ventilation and therefore lower energy costs. The use of full-spectrum lighting – performed by Vital Places – provides more energy and a stronger ability to concentrate.