The Edge: a smart and energy-efficient office building in Amsterdam

A case study of The Edge as reported at the time, rather than a current ranking of office buildings.

Connected lighting and personal controls

The Edge uses a connected LED lighting system and smartphone technology that lets users adjust lighting and temperature to their individual needs.

Atrium design and daylight

The sloping atrium roof is a distinctive external feature. Large windows maximise daylight, while acoustic measures help reduce noise from the nearby motorway and railway.

Flexible workspaces

The Edge has open workspaces rather than permanently assigned desks for every employee. Staff choose a setting that suits their daily schedule, such as a seated or standing desk, meeting room, balcony-side seat or concentration room.

A quarter of the office space is reserved for meeting rather than desks. The original article described about 2,500 Deloitte employees sharing 1,000 desks. This hot-desking approach encourages new working relationships and informal interaction while making more efficient use of space: desks are occupied by people who actually need them.

Heating and cooling systems

The building has extensive networks for data and water. Blue water-filled ceiling coils connect with the building's underground thermal-storage system to provide heating and cooling.

Solar power and energy performance

The southern facade combines solar panels and windows. Thick load-bearing concrete provides thermal mass, while recessed openings and shading help limit solar heat gains. According to BRE, The Edge uses 70% less electricity than comparable office buildings. BRE also describes it as energy positive, supported by efficiency measures and solar generation, including panels at off-site locations.

Smartphone app and parking

A day at The Edge begins with a smartphone application developed by the building's main tenant, Deloitte. The app checks an employee's schedule, while connected systems recognise arriving vehicles and guide users towards available parking spaces.

Robots, sensors and facilities management

A security robot patrols the offices at night and can provide images when an alarm is triggered. Sensors also identify areas requiring cleaning. People and cleaning robots focus on the spaces used most during the day.

Sensors automatically adjust temperature and lighting. A Deloitte survey cited in the original article found that fewer than one quarter of employees actively used manual temperature adjustments, while around three quarters preferred automatic control.

Central management monitors how the building and its occupants interact. Deloitte collects operational data to support facilities management and energy use. When fewer staff attend than expected, parts of the building can be taken out of use, reducing heating, cooling, lighting and cleaning needs.

BRE: The Edge Amsterdam

BREEAM Awards 2016 – 98.36%