Innova Municipal Lyceum: Modern spiral staircases and about 35 tons of structural steel

The students of Stedelijk Lyceum Innova started their school year 2022-2023 in a new accommodation on the Gronausestraat in Enschede, which previously served as ServiceCentrum Oost. To make the former building of the police, Maintenance Enschede and Twentse Zorgcentra suitable for its new function, several learning squares with transparent classrooms, practical classrooms and lecture halls have been created. Moreover, the building is equipped with a large atrium, canteen and (school) library. Van Pommeren engineered, produced, delivered and assembled the structural steel for this. In total, this involved some 35 tons of steel. In addition, the 'men of steel' realized the new stairs and landings.

"We were approached at an early stage by Aannemersbedrijf Haafkes, Goor division, to help devise a good solution and detailing for the structural steel, stairs and landings," says Dieter Ploeg, project supervisor at Van Pommeren. "A school building has a different floor load than an office building. Moreover, layouts were changed, which meant that existing floors had to be reinforced and adapted. The existing atrium was completely demolished and rebuilt. For this, too, we were allowed to engineer, produce, deliver and assemble the structural steel."

Exclusive staircases

Two exclusive steel spiral staircases were incorporated into Stedelijk Lyceum Innova, forming one entity with the landings. Both stand out for their sleek, modern and open structure, while a light color finish provides a harmonious fit into the glass atrium. "We mapped the existing situation," Ploeg says. "In addition, we made the detailed calculations and drawings and tested them against the building and the customer's wishes, after which we started production and execution in-house. In our factory in Veenendaal, the stairs were completely welded together, after which they were lifted in one go, using a large construction crane and via the roof. This required careful coordination with the contractor. After all, the roof had to be removed temporarily."

Complete route

Van Pommeren has extensive knowledge and know-how in steel. "With professional passion, we design and realize projects that stand out," Ploeg said. "From stairs to balustrades and balcony railings and from stamping monumental buildings to taking care of complete building constructions. Because we handle the complete process in-house, clients are assured of a single point of contact from engineering to execution."