Octatube

Octatube is a company that designs, develops and constructs complex architectural structures, with an emphasis on advanced applications of glass and steel. Octatube often assists architectural firms and construction companies to realize challenging architecture. Octatube is based in Delft and unique in the Netherlands, carrying out projects in-house from design to completion.^[1][2][3]

Victoria & Albert Museum, Sackler Courtyard, designed by Amanda Levete Architects (AL_A). Octatube was responsible for the design, engineering, production, and installation of several of the glass and stainless steel structures.

History

Octatube was founded in 1983 by Mick Eekhout. Octatube led the field in technical developments in the high-tech architecture era between 1980 and 1995 and in the succeeding freeform or “Blob” architecture period. In the first decade of Octatube's existence, the emphasis was on space frame and tent structures. This developed into the field of structural glazing. Nowadays Octatube specializes in complex glazed facades and roofs. Complex and technically demanding structural forms are a core element of Octatube’s work.^[4]

Major Projects

• 2014: all glass roof Gemeentemuseum (municipal museum) in The Hague (NL).^[5]
• 2014: The glass façade of the Market Hall in Rotterdam (NL).^[6][7]
• 2015: Glass Entrance, building of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (NL).^[8]
• 2017: complete refurbishment of Sackler Courtyard, entrance to the Victoria & Albert museum in London (UK).^[9][10]
• 2017: London Business School, The Sammy Ofer Centre. Octatube was contracted as a steel and glass specialist. ^[11]

Awards

• 2015: winner of the Dutch Construction Awards 2015. The cable net facades of the Market Hall, realized by Octatube, were awarded in the category for building materials and systems.^[12]
• 2016: Special commendation for Octatube: Facade of the Year, in the category New Build with the glass Entrance Building for the Van Gogh Museum.^[13][14]
• 2017: Winner at the Society of Facade Engineering (SFE) Awards 2017 - Octatube won the Refurbishment category of the Façade of the Year for the new entrance at the Victoria & Albert Museum located in Exhibition Road, West London.^[15]

References

1. "Bedrijf uit Delft maakt wereldwijd moeilijkste gevels van glas". Business Insider. 2014-03-28. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
2. "Benefits of Structural Glass Are Crystal Clear". Sourceable. 2014-04-02. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
3. "Cookiewall | Het Financieele Dagblad". fd.nl. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
4. Digitalization. "Octatube | Realizing Challenging Architecture - History". www.octatube.nl. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
5. "Atriumdak voor Gemeentemuseum Den Haag - De Architect". De Architect (in Dutch). Retrieved 2017-10-02.
6. "Bedrijf uit Delft maakt wereldwijd moeilijkste gevels van glas". Business Insider. 2014-03-28. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
7. "Rotterdam opent grootse markthal". De Ingenieur (in Dutch). Retrieved 2017-10-02.
8. "Glazen Entreegebouw Van Gogh Museum - De Architect". De Architect (in Dutch). Retrieved 2017-10-02.
9. Woodman, Ellis (2017-06-28). "The V&A's new £48m Exhibition Road Quarter is a triumph - review". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
10. "Hoofdrol voor Octatube bij uitbreiding Londens museum". Cobouw (in Dutch). Retrieved 2017-10-02.
11. "The Sammy Ofer Centre: Octatube Appointed Steel And Glass Specialist". World Architecture Community. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
12. "Winnaars 2015 - www.denederlandsebouwprijs.nl". www.denederlandsebouwprijs.nl. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
13. "SFE FAÇADE2016 competition winners announced | netMAGmedia Ltd". www.buildingconstructiondesign.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
14. "Facade 2017 Previous Winners". sfecompetition.org. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
15. "All-Star Winners of the Society of Facade Engineering (SFE) Awards 2017 | IGS". IGS. 2018-01-11. Retrieved 2018-04-03.

External links

• Octatube - company website