JFK Apeldoorn

John F. Kennedylaan | Jackie

Façade of Colored Solar Panels on New Residential Care Complex ‘Jackie’ in Apeldoorn

The energy transition presents a unique challenge for every building. The transformation of the former tax office at John F. Kennedylaan 2 in Apeldoorn is an excellent example of a successful sustainability approach at a highly complex site. The most striking feature of the project is its façade of colored solar panels.

In Apeldoorn, a tax office dating from the 1960s—at the time the first tax office outside The Hague—has been transformed. The building, now designated as a municipal monument and originally designed by architect Piet Zanstra, underwent an extensive renovation in which the office was converted into apartments and a care facility. As part of this transformation, the building was given a new name: Jackie.

To generate sufficient renewable energy, an integrated solar energy system was installed on the roof, consisting of photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors and photovoltaic (PV) panels. The developer, Explorius Vastgoedontwikkeling from Rijssen, aimed to create an energy-neutral building that would comply with BREEAM and LEED requirements. To achieve this goal, solar panels on the façade were also necessary. Preserving the monumental elevator shaft was a key consideration, making the use of colored solar panels essential. Lengkeek Architecten selected a light sandstone color that aligns with the building’s architectural character.

The installed system consists of solar panels manufactured by Soluxa. These panels form part of the building envelope and replace conventional façade cladding panels, making the project an example of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV).

The original vertical lines and detailing of the concrete façade have even been reflected in the solar façade design. For this project, the Aelex mounting system by Alius was used. The frame used to secure the solar panels was finished in exactly the same color as the panels themselves, creating a unified façade appearance. Two ventilation grilles were also incorporated into the façade in the same color. As a result, the façade has a calm and cohesive appearance that blends seamlessly with the rest of the building.

It is not immediately apparent that the façade cladding consists of solar panels.

The Benefits of Façade-Mounted Solar Panels

The façade faces due south, enabling energy generation throughout the year. During autumn, winter, and spring, when the sun is lower in the sky, this façade performs better than a conventional rooftop installation. These seasons are also periods of high electricity demand, when the value of each kilowatt-hour generated is particularly high.

Jackie in Apeldoorn demonstrates how colored solar panels can enable smarter use of building façades and make an important contribution to the energy transition.

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