A milestone for Ameland: De Stelp becomes Ambla

De Stelp residential-care complex on Ameland is in need of renovation. Construction group Dijkstra Draisma is rolling up its sleeves to provide the residents with a new home. At another location on the island, Ambla is currently under construction. This 'new Stelp' will be the residents' new, sustainable home from the autumn of 2024. 

The new care building Ambla will have 32 independent apartments, 12 care apartments and 4 care studios for short-term stays. An important facility for the residents of Ameland. "Ambla is there for a vulnerable target group," says project leader Jan Kamminga. "It is of great importance that these people receive care on the island and do not have to go to the mainland. Thanks to Ambla, Amelanders can live their entire lives on the island." 

Building on an island

Bouwgroep Dijkstra Draisma was selected through a European tender for the construction of Ambla. A logical partner for the job, because the Frisian family business feels like a fish in the water on Ameland. "Because of our many years of experience on the island, we knew in advance what we might encounter," says Kamminga. "Building on an island is quite a logistical puzzle. The shipping channel around Ameland quickly silts up, causing boats to break down. In addition, you can only carry a limited number of tons on board, so your cargo is less likely to be on the other side. The same goes for the number of trucks on the construction site: less freight means a longer construction period. If you know about these restrictions in advance, you can anticipate them. No sooner said than done!"

Durable and low maintenance

"Ambla is founded on steel," Kamminga says. "All floors have concrete floors, the window frames are plastic and the exterior is masonry. It's a very traditional, low-maintenance building." In addition, the building is very sustainable. "We use a gray water tank," Kamminga continued. "Rainwater is collected and used for flushing the toilets. It's a waste to use clean tap water for that when there's plenty of graywater available." The building is kept at temperature with geothermal heat.

Architectural challenges

Ambla was designed by architectural firm 19 The Atelier. That design includes a lot of sustainable architectural feats that were sometimes challenging in execution. "We thought together about the airtightness of the building," says Kamminga. "Of course it shouldn't be drafty inside. That is not only unpleasant for the residents, but also costs electricity unnecessarily. We installed anti-tightness foils, which is a good choice for the environment as well as the wallet." The latter also applies to the addition of solar panels on the roof. "These are subtly concealed in the design. The pointed roofs give a playful effect and ensure that the solar panels are barely visible." 

Time to move

The realization of Ambla began in 2018. It is one of the largest and longest-running projects currently underway on Ameland. In the fall of 2024, Ambla will be finished and the residents of De Stelp will be able to move in. That will be a milestone for the entire island.