Personalize your façade? With SAB-CustomDesign, anything is possible

Where a DIY store once stood, there is now a building with an intriguing façade. AKOpanel partnered with SAB-profiel to develop a CustomDesign profile. The result: the company’s own name incorporated into the façade, translated into Morse code.

Three years ago, co-owner Marcel Schepers purchased a 5,500 m² site that housed an old Praxis store. His company manufactures acoustic panels from recycled PET bottles. “We really wanted a sustainable building. At the same time, we wanted something special because we work closely with architects. Together with our architect, Maurits Teunis, we came up with the idea of a façade designed in Morse code.”

Whether it was technically feasible at all? “No, I didn’t know,” Marcel explains. “Together with Amir Feizinezhad (Business Development Manager at SAB-profiel) and Maurits, we explored the possibilities. Then we had to choose the color. I came across some samples of Colorcoat SDP 50 in the metallic gold-like Dubai Desert finish. It was quite bold! But I said, let’s just do it. And I’m extremely happy with the result because the façade really stands out.” The local community has also responded enthusiastically to the transformation of the former DIY store.

A new façade with its own identity

One of the most striking elements of the design is the new building envelope. A lightweight insulated façade was installed around the existing structure, giving the building an entirely new appearance. The copper-colored finish continuously changes the façade’s appearance through sunlight, shadows, and reflections.

Inside, the architecture follows the same philosophy. Exposed concrete and steel structures, black accents, and visible installations create a robust industrial atmosphere, while large glass sections provide panoramic views across the site.