Major maintenance to Helbergen gallery flats in Zutphen

Preservation, major maintenance and new elevator system

Commissioned by Woonbedrijf ieder1, Nijhuis Bouw provided the large-scale maintenance and preservation of five hundred homes in the Helbergen neighborhood of Zutphen. The homes are spread across fourteen apartment buildings. A substantial project, which went very smoothly.

The buildings were insulated, entrances were refurbished and mobility scooter spaces were provided. On average, the homes have energy label A after the preservation process. The entire process was carried out with a fixed team and in close cooperation with the client. Marthijn Jansen of Woonbedrijf ieder1: "The development of a heat network in this neighborhood was first discussed in 2019. As a housing corporation, we are working towards a better climate and affordable housing costs for our tenants by making our homes more sustainable. Because the heat in homes can be retained longer after preservation, residents can use less energy and comfort in the homes is increased. After the contractor selection in 2020, we worked with Nijhuis in a construction team to further develop the plan."

Future-proofing

A few test houses were made in late 2020, and then the real work began in January 2021. In the middle of corona time, in other words. Project leader Jorn Vliek of Nijhuis Bouw: "That did pose some challenges. We were not allowed to go near the residents. In the end, we did manage to complete the first three apartments in 2021. By now we have taken care of thirteen of the fourteen. In addition to preservation and major maintenance, some flats also received a passenger elevator."

Client ieder1 attaches great importance to future-proofing. This was taken into account in this project with future fire safety requirements and by equipping mobility scooters. Jansen: "Because of these facilities, the homes are also suitable for people who are (or will be in the future) dependent on a mobility scooter. This also means that they can continue to live in these homes for longer. The residents have responded very positively to this."

Working with established partners

For this project, work was done according to Nijhuis' Trento® existing construction process: a standardized process synchronized with RGS, which can be used for both lighter and very extensive renovation projects. Vliek: "We work with regular partners in this process. For example, for the new fences on the galleries, coatings on the floors, structural repair, painting and glass replacement. The buildings received a warm coat to reduce heat demand and retain heat in the home longer with roof and cavity wall insulation. We also put new kitchens, bathrooms, toilets and fixtures in the homes and improved fire resistance. A color expert also looked on and came up with a plan for the entire neighborhood. This gave each apartment its own identity. It turned out very nicely." There were works of art painted on some of the flats, which were restored by artist Tanja Papez. She also painted her own artwork on one of the buildings. 

It was Nijhuis' first project for this client and the cooperation was extremely good on both sides. Jansen: "Nijhuis was able to complement our ideas well. After a good preparation phase, we were able to start right away. And with each subsequent building it went faster." Occasionally, improvisations had to be made. For example, when it turned out that the construction of the balcony and gallery slabs did not meet current requirements. The entire apartment had to be stamped immediately. This also required good communication with the residents, in which Nijhuis and ieder1 acted jointly. Vliek: "We had a lot of contact with each other throughout the project and actually half a word was enough."