Frames for the future for the supermarket of the future

Autumn sees the completion of the new distribution center GDM02 in Geldermalsen. Online supermarket Picnic has over 32,000 m2 of warehouse space here, 3,319 m2 of mezzanine and over 3,600 m2 of offices. Kozijn Garant and SAPA are providing extremely durable cladding and window frames. Not for the first time, but for the future, say Rudy Heijligers, owner and project manager of Kozijn Garant and Marc van den Nieuwenhof, Area Manager at SAPA of Hydro Building Systems Netherlands.

Contractor Wouters Schijndel has regularly worked with Kozijn Garant on distribution centers in the past. "For example, for Zalando in Bleijswijk, Albert Heijn in Zaandam and Picnic in Utrecht. There, too, we provided the distribution centers with aluminum facade elements," begins Heijligers, who is responsible for the production, delivery and assembly of the systems. 

As with GDM02, in previous projects, Frame Garant chose Hydro CIRCAL; aluminum made from post-consumed aluminum. "The experiences we gained in previous projects we are using again in this project. The result is a beautiful and orderly construction process." Heijligers says that on behalf of contractor Wouters Schijndel and based on the aesthetic design, Kozijn Garant provides the architectural drawing work for all aluminum curtain walls, frames, windows and doors. "Including associated architectural details. The work planners at Wouters Schijndel then check our drawings and provide feedback where necessary. Once the contractor agrees, we start production."

Most durable aluminum

The distribution center is being built with a BREEAM Excellent**** certification in mind. The materials for the facades and window frames contribute greatly to this. Indeed, Hydro CIRCAL is one of the most sustainable aluminum alloys in the world, says Van den Nieuwenhof. "Hydro CIRCAL consists of at least 75% of recycled end-of-lifecycle aluminum, which has already had a previous life in other buildings. After all, you recycle aluminum without loss of quality. Therefore, I really see it as a product for the future." Heijligers adds: "And triple-glazing gives the building a high insulation value."

Smooth process

As soon as Frame Garant receives the materials, the profiles are checked. "Then we cut the products to size. We do this as efficiently as possible so that we have as little waste and residual pieces as possible." The machining department makes sure the holes are drilled in the right places, locks and drains are milled and all other preparations are made. "Then we put the profiles together with ridge corners. We install the rubbers and hardware. And the windows and doors are hung," Heijligers says. 

Mock facades with new elements

So for Frame Garant, this project was not entirely new. "That familiar path is very nice in such large projects. We know we can rely on these products and on this material." Consequently, the project went off without a hitch. "We know similar projects with this type of awnings and covers. Here, we were working on a curtain wall with a very narrow version of awnings. As a result, it fits nicely on the aesthetic profile. Those are challenging details, though." For this, Kozijn Garant worked with an awning partner, which takes care of deliveries and installation based on supplied dimensions.

What was new to Frame Garant, however, were the false facades on this project. "For this, profiles come against the facade cladding that are also on the curtain wall. We made a detail for this that the cladding comes against, so that it looks like a new facade. We developed a new element for that, in consultation with the contractor." Fortunately, that collaboration has been going smoothly for years. "They only need half a word and we know what we want from each other."