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Precast concrete is the future. Hercuton knows that like no other. The precast concrete specialist began exactly 25 years ago as a pioneer in corporate housing. Since then, it has been helping clients stay ahead in innovative ways. In terms of sustainability, cost savings, efficiency, maintenance, appearance and value retention.
"We believe in concept-based construction," says director Ivo van der Mark of the jubilant Hercuton. "We find it illogical to reinvent the wheel for every project. We call our concept-based construction method LEGOlization. In fact, we have about six thousand different elements, precast concrete building elements, with which we can vary infinitely. With these elements, we realize turnkey functional distribution centers and production areas, as well as architectural masterpieces." Fine examples include DHL's all-electric sorting center in Zaltbommel, Imagewharf in Amsterdam (nominated for the BNA Best
Building 2019 and for the Cities in Motion (STIB) Award 2019), the main office for Airforce in Zaltbommel and the Euroscoop Cinema- &
Leisure complex in Amsterdam and The Hague.
Main office Airforce, Zandvoort.
Over the years, Hercuton has specialized in the conceptual design and turnkey construction of commercial buildings in precast concrete. Van der Mark: "We know what works and what doesn't. At the same time, we continually push our limits to ensure our quality and exceed customer expectations. Our concept-based construction method in precast concrete lends itself ideally to this. This starts as early as the design process. Our elements are fully thought out and easily integrated into an automated 3D design environment. They are then produced, under ideal conditions, in the factory. Construction on site is then merely a logistical process. The concrete elements are dimensionally stable and thus fit together perfectly."
Euroscoop Cinema- & Leisure Complex, Amsterdam
"In addition to quality, planning is also easy to control," Van der Mark continues. "Because we prefabricate, we can record a lot in the preliminary stages. After all, we know exactly which elements the design is composed of and when which elements are needed. On that basis, we instruct the factory, which delivers on the day." The efficiency Hercuton achieves with this construction method is even stronger because architects and other parties involved are already involved in the preliminary stages of a project. By working together integrally, processes are optimally coordinated and the risk of delays and failure costs is even lower.
All-electric sorting center DHL, Zaltbommel.
Not only as part of modular and
integral concepts, but precast concrete also offers the necessary advantages as a material. Van der Mark emphasizes the sustainable properties: "Think, for example, of the great accumulating capacity. This keeps our buildings cool in the summer and easy to maintain their temperature in the winter. In addition, our precast
concrete buildings are ideally suited for concrete core activation. Another advantage is that our precast concrete roofs are suitable for solar panels as well as multiple land uses. Moreover, concrete is low-maintenance, fireproof, burglar-proof and recyclable."
Three loft offices and a parking building Imagewharf, Amsterdam.
When asked what opportunities he sees for the future, Van der Mark replied, "The quality of concrete is getting higher and higher, which makes its applicability even greater. After including production areas, fruit and vegetable companies, flower and plant companies, logistics companies and companies that use hazardous substances
store, I expect we will be able to add even more new industries to our customer base in the coming years."
