All-electric waterfront homes efficiently produced

In the Lentse Plas near Nijmegen, a recreational lake in a suburban area, Balance de l'Eau and Zederik Bouw are realizing 27 spacious water villas in 4 types. The floating water dwellings are drawn out as single-family homes and will be custom produced for the buyers. "An intensive process, but this way we can deliver a home every month, casco or turn key," says Arnoud de Bruin of Zederik Bouw.

The executive contractor is a building developer; Zederik Bouw is realizing the waterfront homes in co-makership with Balance de l'Eau as co-developer. "In fact, it's almost private housing construction," says De Bruin. "The relationship with the buyers is such that the homes can be custom produced, in 4 types with a size of 170 m²." The homes are docked per 4 or 5 homes at an entrance jetty; there is plenty of open space between the jetties. The designs of the various housing types are made in such a way that a wide view of the Lent Lake is guaranteed from every home. The water villas are very spacious, two-story and equipped with a sheltered terrace. On the first floor are the kitchen, living room and an indoor storage room. The basement contains 4 spacious bedrooms and a bathroom.

Floating concrete foundation

The Lentse Plas is located on the express bicycle route from Arnhem to Nijmegen, in a new housing estate with schools, stores and a cinema. De Bruin: "They are real water villas, which are mainly bought by people whose children have left home." The homes will no longer have a gas connection and will be equipped with an air source heat pump, WTW and 9 solar panels. A high level of floor insulation is achieved with a thick layer of EPS and PIR. The homes are constructed with "chip panels," a combination of EPS and wood. Each home has an outdoor terrace; decking in the water is optional. "The floating concrete foundation is produced on shore, i.e. on location, after which the substructure is lifted into the water. The superstructures are realized on the water, using a conveyor belt for material supply."

Final completion 2023

This way, Zederik Bouw can deliver a home every 3 to 4 weeks. "The panels are brought in from Moldova, which is an efficient supply line with good contacts," De Bruin continued. "The Lentse Plas is not open water, so we can work efficiently with known subcontractors. This is a recreational lake: no moorings for boats are allowed for residents; the experience of the water is central. The biggest challenge is the express bicycle route along the lake, which must not be obstructed. We have enough space to allow both construction to proceed and move in after completion." Some buyers take over the home shell. In other cases, the water villas are fully finished. The construction process takes a total of 2 years. Eventually, Lentse Plas will have 27 all-electric water villas tailored to the new residents.