Monuments are often draughty buildings with single glazing and because of their atmosphere and character you are not allowed to make changes just like that. Nevertheless, the Amsterdam agency De Groene Grachten has a mission to make all 140,000 monuments in the Netherlands more sustainable. Now that we have succeeded at the largest national monument in Amsterdam, the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), the way is open for the rest.
With five football pitches as floor space, KIT had an annual energy bill of more than half a million euros. Yet that was not the main reason for sustainability, says financial director Louis van den Berghe in the program Pak An Groen: “Amsterdam wants to become a natural gas-free municipality. Unfortunately, this ambition conflicts with some guidelines for monuments. For example, we have a great roof on the south with slates, but no solar panels are allowed on that.”
That is why Suze Gehem of De Groene Grachten is involved in the sustainability operation. “I think in terms of possibilities and not in difficulties. It is a matter of puzzling with every monument. Instead of solar panels, we have installed a water-storing green roof on the depot and, of course, a heat pump, heat and cold storage, secondary windows and LED lighting. “
At the moment, her company is working on making the Teylers Museum in Haarlem, the Broeker Church, the De Otter windmill in Amsterdam and all kinds of churches in Alkmaar more sustainable. More than 100,000 monuments to go.
Grab an Green
More and more North Hollanders are taking action to tackle climate change. Residents change their lifestyle, buy responsibly and insulate their homes. Entrepreneurs see opportunities and break new ground with sustainable products and services. You can see it on TV every Tuesday in the program Pak An Groen.
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