Electric Boat House

In the design of Sebastiaan Jansen context, sustainability and architecture are combined into a special symbiosis. This boathouse is not only striking in its appearance, the building is also very durable. In the corner volume 72 solar panels are integrated. With these panels one can charge 1385x electric boats. The 'electric boathouse’ is the first building in the Netherlands in which electric boats and architecture are put together as one unity.


"We call it the red lego blocks," said the neighbor, while a passing person stops and looks a puzzled. The neighbor continues: "It's totally different than the standard industrial buildings you see here. It takes some getting used to, but it is special and nice. "

The building houses a warehouse, with an extensive range of machinery for the (re) building of electric boats. An indoor exhibition space where the boats floats in water. And an office space. These three functions have been given their own character, both in morphology as in appearance.

The black volume, which seems to float over a full glass exhibition space, created by interplay between context and sustainability. The rotation angle in the plot can be read at the base, while the upper surface focuses the sun. This creates a sculptural architectural gesture with a nod in the front elevation.

The roof which faces south, creates a surface that is suitable for processing PV cells. On the corner volume 72 solar panels are fitted (about 91m ²). These panels provide approximately 11,072 kWh each year, which allows recharging 1385 electric boat.

Besides solar panels, there are plenty of sustainable solutions applied. Rainwater is collected in a tank. With this water boats are washed and the toilets are flushed. For heating and cooling of the building a earth mouth linked heating heat pump (HCS) is installed.

The cradle to cradle concept is reflected in the design and materialization of the building. In the assembly of the building, where possible, there are mechanical connections chosen. Furthermore, there are materials used in its purest form. Only a few materials have a finish in the form of painting. But wood is wood and brick is brick.