Nature Museum – Fryslân

The courtyard of the Natural History Museum in Friesland is multifunctional thanks to a glass roof, giving the courtyard a majestic character. Octatube Services ensures its pristine condition by cleaning it annually.

Historical contrast

Four central, mast-shaped columns, each 19 metres high, support the glass roof completely independently of the existing historical buildings. The contrast between old and new enhances the architectural significance of both the historic buildings and the modern roof design. The glass panels are collapsible, allowing for adjustable ventilation. Rainwater drainage is integrated into the structure: the four columns drain this water.

Tripod

The glass roof of the Nature Museum, completed in 2004, receives annual cleaning and inspection from Octatube Services. We’ve replaced broken glass panels by using our custom tripod system, which rests on adjacent panels and uses three glass vacuums to remove damaged sections. This method reduces CO2 emissions by eliminating the need for a tall tower crane. Previously, Octatube Services also used this method to replace some panels in  the glass roof of the Bernoulliborg at the University of Groningen.