Binnenbocht Amsterdam | Architectural precast concrete building elements for project Cruquius Binnenbocht

The Groningen-based Hibex, founded in 1983, specializes in the development and production of building elements in concrete: sandwich facade elements in architectural concrete, masonry or natural stone, columns and beams, gallery slabs, balconies and special elements. "We are more than a producer and supplier of building elements. Preferably, we think along in the development of the plans. This allows us to immediately apply the most practical and economical solution," says technical director Michael Hermes. "Every project is unique. With us you will not find standard facade systems in stock, because we focus on customized solutions. Ideally, we deliver turnkey facade elements with front and back layers, insulation and integrated frames and windows."

For project Binnenbocht, which includes the subprojects De Bocht, De Loods and 2Peer and features 435 apartments and commercial spaces in Amsterdam's eastern harbor area, Hibex developed and produced all precast facade elements. "In March 2018, we were awarded the contract by general contractor Koopmans Bouw of Enschede for the development, production and delivery of 398 large sandwich elements, partly with stone strips, partly with white decorative concrete, as well as 119 sandwich parapets, piers and eaves, 211 single-shell white decorative concrete elements and 144 single-shell parapets with stone strips. The decorative concrete elements are produced in our specialty 'norwegian white' and Koopmans itself supplied special stone strips with a length of 290 mm," Hermes explains. "When the original idea with timber frame facades proved unrealizable, they came to us to come up with a custom facade system. After engineering, we started production in February 2019. Since April 2019, the prefabricated parts have been delivered to the construction site in consultation with the contractor."

Hibex also provided elements for many other projects, including the Naturalis Museum (Leiden), apartment building De Pontsteiger (Amsterdam) and the Herman Teirlinck Building (Brussels).