'Everyone runs with a big smile on this project'

Van der Sluis Woningbouw BV is proud to contribute to the iconic Sluishuis in Amsterdam. Commissioned by construction combination VORM Bouw/BESIX, the family-owned company is not only providing the sanitary and ventilation installations in the 442 apartments, but also the sprinkler and ventilation installations in the parking garage.

To meet Sluis House's high sustainability ambition, all apartments will be equipped with balanced ventilation with heat recovery and a shower channel with shower heat exchanger. "We are also installing the sanitary facilities, drinking water pipes, dirt and rainwater drains," said Ronald Bremmer, business manager at Van der Sluis Woningbouw BV. "Rainwater is efficiently collected in a special tank and used for the sustainable irrigation of the planters on the balconies." The ventilation system in the parking garage includes both duct and axial fans, he says. "A heated sprinkler system ensures that any fire is nipped in the bud."

The construction of Sluishuis is progressing steadily. The highest point has now been reached and completion is in full swing. In the process, Van der Sluis Woningbouw BV is facing several challenges. For example, getting the ventilation systems on the roof and the construction of the solar panel frame above it right is quite a puzzle. "The building itself has a lot of concrete reinforcement, which has consequences for the mounting of ducts and pipes. To make sure that all installations fit properly into the walls and floors, our modelers worked out the project in advance in 3D/BIM. They also held regular consultations and class sessions with the building consortium, structural engineer, central heating and electrical installer." Still, fine-tuning was sometimes needed in the work. "The past few months have been very intensive for our fitters, who worked side by side in three construction streams. Not only because of the limited construction site, complex logistics and uncertain delivery times, but also because the weather did not always cooperate. Our people worked in the snow, as well as in temperatures above 30°C. Yet they always kept a smile on their faces. Sluishuis is and remains a wonderful project to work on."