Carefully building high-quality area transformation

The former Bullewijk office area in Amsterdam is undergoing a major overhaul. Hondsrugweg, which runs between the ArenA and the IKEA along the A9 motorway, is being converted into Hondsrug Park, a green living/working area. One of the projects is Brisk, which consists of 270 apartments and an office space with parking garage commissioned by Synchroon. HSB Bouw is expected to deliver this project in the second quarter of 2025.

With all the inhibiting factors at the moment, it is quite extraordinary that Brisk is being taken up energetically, says project manager Dennis van der Kuijl of general contractor HSB Bouw. "Here we are building affordable housing for Amsterdam on a postage stamp, in an area with complicated soil conditions and utilities that still need to be upgraded for future use." Hondsrug Park is a transformation area in Amstel III business park, which must also take into account the existing buildings. "For example, we have to guarantee the continuity of a branch of Bergman Clinics during construction."

'Much in your own hands'

The foundation of Brisk has been carefully constructed, by integrally cooperating parties who, among other things, de-group the parking garage under a stamping frame. The superstructure (+70 meters) is being constructed in a relatively traditional manner (wall-width slab method combined with precast walls). "We are a contractor that keeps relatively many executive disciplines in-house," says Van der Kuijl. "Such as masonry, hsb, set work, gluing and painting. We also have much of the equipment in-house, with the exception of the large cranes. For the rest, we work with regular partners. This working method has positive effects on the final quality."

Ceramic tiles

This is particularly useful when the demands are high. Van der Kuijl: "Some of the facades, for example, are finished with ceramic tiles that were specially developed by the architect and the facade builder in terms of size and color. To build such a well-finished, sustainable building with social housing affordably, you have to be able to do it efficiently, and we can offer security of supply with our own disciplines, our own people and regular partners. The big challenges here are ground conditions and utilities. The first hurdle has been taken with the realization of the foundation."

Loop

The second challenge is the timely construction of a 20KV ring line for the neighborhood by Liander. After all, more projects are being realized in Hondsrug Park, and Brisk is obviously a sustainable building, including a CHP and solar panels. The power supply is only becoming more important in the energy transition, and with it the grid capacity must grow along with it. "That's a big deal, as we see at several locations. We ourselves are also participating fully, with a gas-free headquarters and 40 charging stations. Everyone wants to become more sustainable. We are doing what we can, but it cannot all be done at once," Van der Kuijl concludes.