In spring 2022, Galapagos opened its new headquarters in the Leiden Bio Science Park (NL), an eye-catching development by Provast, designed by OZ Architect. The building offers 17,000 m² of office and lab space, with a striking plinth and roof structure clad in Linius horizontal blade walls. The aluminium blades, supplied via Renson dealer Storax, were brushed and anodised for a dynamic façade—a choice strongly supported by Koos Zwitser (Architect, OZ) and Fabian Greveling (Project Manager, Storax) for its aesthetic and technical qualities.
Plinth with multifunctional blade wall
Originally conceived as half its current size, the design evolved through several iterations to include two wings flanking a central atrium. Laboratories occupy the north wing, offices the south. The plinth houses a two-storey parking garage and bicycle shed, screened by façade grilles that admit daylight while limiting glare. Similar ventilating blades feature in the roof structure, blending aesthetics with function.
Anodising: A Bold Choice
The ambition was clear: an anodised façade to create liveliness. Powder coating felt too smooth, too sterile. Anodising, however, brings inherent colour variations—something embraced within acceptable limits. After much persuasion, the team accepted the challenge. Preparation was extensive: three anodised elements—ventilation, frames, fins—each requiring technical adjustments for bath size and division. This method was far from standard. Blades were pre-brushed before anodising—a labour-intensive, costly process. Yet the result speaks for itself: a façade that feels alive.
Integrated doors
The areas in which the Linius blade walls are utilised in the Galapagos building – on the garage floors and in the roof structure – mean doors and passages to technical installation rooms must also be provided. “There are about 15 door constructions for installation rooms in the façade,” says Fabian Greveling. “We took care of that as well. We work with door partners who supply approved doors for the energy companies. Storax ensures the engineering of the doors and ensures the blades connect seamlessly to integrate the doors into the whole. This provides a holistic view of the entire façade.”
“Furthermore, the combination of open and closed blades and curved blades is certainly worth mentioning,” emphasises the architect. “The building has a luxurious appearance, partly due to the curves on the roof structure.”
Laser cut combs ensure fall safety
“One of the striking things about this project is the fall safety,” notes Fabian Greveling. “The blade wall provides ventilation for the roof structure and parking garages. And even though the contractor thought the wall was nice in the parking garages, he thought the risk of falling needed to be eliminated, and preferably without having to install façade cladding, fencing and/or a crash barrier. So we had to look for a fall-proof blade wall. We managed to work together on a solution for that; in collaboration with Renson, the wall was fitted with aluminium laser-cut combs in the reveals of the mullions. We tested this at Renson with various tests and line load calculations. As a result we were able to prevent using a fence in this project.”
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