Netherlands : SPIE completes the renovation of conference facilities at RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre

Breda, 1 February 2024 -SPIE Nederland, the Dutch subsidiary of SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, has announced the completion of the extensive renovation of eight "Entrance G" conference spaces at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, including the auditorium. On Wednesday 31 January, the hall complex was formally delivered to RAI following a three-month project completed with a tight deadline.

The "Entrance G" conference facilities of RAI needed a thorough renovation. Before SPIE could launch renovation work, ceilings, walls, and old installations had to be demolished. SPIE installed completely new heating, cooling and ventilation systems and laid kilometres of cables for all new connections and data, along with facilities for sound, microphones, and projectors. All halls were then equipped with new acoustic wall finishes, ceilings, and floors.

Hanging construction

The biggest challenge was the installation of a new air handling unit (AHU) on the roof of the RAI. SPIE fully engineered this mechanical installation, which houses the climate control system in all the "Entrance G" spaces. Due to the heavy weight of the AHU, a special steel hanging construction was required so that the unit was not placed directly on the roof. SPIE was responsible for the electrical and structural work. Michael van der Sar, Project Manager at SPIE, explained: "Thanks to our expertise in a wide range of technical services, we can support our clients from strategy to execution. As a team, we have delivered a top performance, both in terms of innovative technical proposals and implementation".

Converting fluorescent lighting to LED

SPIE is involved in several sustainability efforts at RAI Amsterdam. Even before the Entrance G renovations were completed, the next project for RAI started: the replacement of outdated fluorescent lighting with modern LED systems in all halls and parking garages. This project, in collaboration with Trilux, will deliver energy savings, and a smaller ecological footprint, with a significant reduction in the conference centre's CO₂ emissions (as much as 85%).