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Ara Almelo is unique because of how it blends in naturally with the scenic semi-open Twente landscape, with plots divided by hedges and wooded banks. The unique ecological screen and the pond ensure a natural connection to this characteristic landscape. The screen’s size allows it to fit in perfectly with the surrounding built environment, while the vegetation on the screen creates a strong ecological chain between the current business activity and the historical nature in the area.

The ecological screen is the most visible and characteristic element of Ara Almelo. The flora is selected to be able to provide as much food and shelter for birds and insects year-round. If the animals and plants do well then it will contribute to the biodiversity we so desperately need. Nature also contributes to our physical and mental health. A natural and lively environment will help create a positive working climate. In this context we have also created a connection with the existing natural environment in the area. By using trees that resemble the ones that already exist in the area, insects will easily be able to find their way within the new Ara Almelo living environment. The creation of new yet familiar nesting environments such as bird houses, bat boxes, and sand, the ideal habitat for some bee species, contribute to this. This results in a renewed eco system ideal for people and animals. The added value for people of being connected to nature from the inside out instead of looking out on grey industrial sites, is huge.

Landscape designer, Annemieke Langendoen
Hollandsgroen




We collaborated with Rebel Group, who assessed the ecological, social, and financial effects on our ecological contribution. The ratio between ecological measures and the yields for various groups have been broadly visualized within the Gaia® connection grid, uniquely designed to fit within the Stellar Development identity.

The most important conclusion; nature yields considerable added value and is a connecting factor for both end-user, environment, investor, and developer. For more information, download the report below.

Measuring our ecological contribution through the Gaia® connection grid.

The ecological screen creates an inside and outside world. The inside world is fully focused on logistical efficiency. The outside world is fully nature inclusive: blossomy grass, semi-paved where possible, climate adaptive and of course as biodiverse as possible.

The screen is the dividing line but also the connection between both worlds. The ecological screen is visible from all over the inside world and people will experience that nature is an integrated part of their stay at the destination.

Creating a “natural” connection between two worlds.

Sustainability is rooted in the brand identity of Stellar Development and reflected in Ara Almelo. The building components, for example, consist of carefully-chosen sustainable materials and sandwich panels were used to create the façade. These panels are light and reduce the use of materials by 12%. Ara Almelo is one of the first logistical buildings in the Netherlands to comply with the EU Taxonomy Regulation; a transparent classification system that was devised based on the Paris Climate Agreement, in order to objectively determine what is truly sustainable and what is not. The goal is to make investments more reliable and transparent and to tackle greenwashing. Stellar Development welcomes the EU Taxonomy, in the knowledge that what we build today shapes the world of tomorrow.

Charging stations for electrical cars are located near the parking spaces. They are available for both staff and visitors. The rows of LED-lighting in the corridors will be fitted with presence detection sensors, which prevent unnecessary and wasted burning hours. The entire building is fitted with LED-lighting. For the driving route of the trucks, SIM concrete plates (a semi-paving made specifically for heavy traffic) will be used in the form of grass concrete tiles. Inside the ecological screen, these robust tiles will also be planted with grass so they become part of the blooming grasslands on the outside of the destination.
With a rooftop surface measuring approximately 40,000 m², there is the option of providing electricity to almost 2,000 homes after the installation of solar panels.

In the times we live in, technology serves as the breeding ground for continuous development. It’s important to stay socially and economically relevant, with a focus on man and nature. 

In the logistical world, costs associated with this “technological breeding ground” have always been billed to the end-user and are frequently only paid after development has been completed, which is far from ideal.

Capella® has been able to turn this process around completely, and offers end-users a technological breeding ground that has been developed for the logistical world of today.

Capella® is a one-stop solution that makes led-lighting and integrated network and data transport possible via an innovative light and data traffic system, based on the ultra-thin Polymer Optical Fiber (POF) cable.

Receive a digital edition  of the Ara Almelo book

XL Business Park Twente is a multimodal business park that is easily accessible by car, by boat, and by train. Its excellent location on the Twente Canal and the presence of the Combi Terminal Twente (CTT) inland terminal, makes it a perfect inland waterway connection to Rotterdam and Hamburg. 

A gateway to the world.

Completed in Q3 2023.
Available for lease now.

Completed in Q3 2023.
Available for lease
now.

Ara Almelo

Three unique design characteristics of Ara Almelo

How we put Nature into practice

The advantages of Capella®

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During these days, we invited people to get to know the destination, meet the specialists involved, and learn about our brand pillars; Nature, Architecture, Technology, and Functionality.