New Amsterdam Court House (NACH)

Since May 2021, the proceedings of the Amsterdam jurisdiction have taken place in a new building, which combines function and aesthetic in a clearly structured and simultaneously inviting way. Fire-resistant and high-security glass from Vetrotech Saint-Gobain Benelux, constructed in the high-quality classifications EW30, EI30, EW60 as well as EI60, contribute to the security of this large-scale complex. 

The Amsterdam Courthouse with fifty different courtrooms, over one thousand employees, among them two hundred judges, is by far the biggest of the eleven courts in the Netherlands. Glass plays an important role, being used as fire-resistant and high-security glazing within the superstructure. 

Glass curtain walls were integrated into the building’s exterior to maximize daylight penetration and create an open, welcoming environment for visitors and staff. In areas where enhanced protection was required, fire rated curtain walls were installed to provide reliable fire resistance without compromising transparency or aesthetics, ensuring seamless integration with adjacent non-fire-rated glazing.

Fire rated glass partitions and security partitions add an additional layer of safety and design harmony to the courthouse. These partitions were developed to provide reliable fire protection and resistance against physical attack while maintaining visual openness—balancing both security and architectural aesthetics throughout the building.

This building was designed and built by the NACH (New Amsterdam Court House) consortium on behalf of the Rijksvastgoedbedrijf (RVB). The central hall equipped with escalators opens along an enclosed garden and a series of courtrooms, creating a sea of space and light.   

Vetrotech Saint-Gobain Benelux conducted development tests on a project basis to create a distinctive feature in the new courthouse with the special combination of fire-resistant and high-security glazing. Approximately 400 m² of fire-resistant glass CONTRAFLAM and CONTRAFLAM LITE, in the classifications EW30, EW60, EI30 and EI60, were used in various combinations. In addition, almost 90 m² of VETROGARD BULLET RC2 and RC3 were installed.