Barracks as showcase for fire department

In one year, construction company Kleijngeld completed the new fire station along the A59 in Waalwijk, based on the design by Van Pelt architects. "The location was an extra motivation to get this assignment," says Kleijngeld.

Text | Tim van Dorsten    Image | LEEF Photography

A showcase for fire engines is how Mark Schrurs and Eric van Pelt of Van Pelt architects describe the transparent facade of the new fire station in Waalwijk. "The fire department has a social function and in the design we wanted to emphasize this character," said Schrurs, architect at Van Pelt architects. "That's why we chose a large transparent facade."

Part of the façade features white façade panels that have three gloss levels: matte, silky and glossy.

The showcase effect is further emphasized by the location of the new barracks, at a vantage point on the A59. And that very location was an important reason for the architectural firm to bet firmly on this assignment. "We work a lot for government agencies and have a lot of experience designing fire stations. But this location is enormously special to me: I drive by there a few times a week," Van Pelt points out. "So when we received the invitation from the municipality of Waalwijk for the architect selection in the fall of 2017, that was an extra motivation."

Marcel Kleijngeld, owner of construction company Kleijngeld, had the same reasoning. When he was approached at the end of 2018 by the municipality of Waalwijk to participate in the tender for the new barracks to be built, he did not think twice. "As a Waalwijk contractor, I was eager to take care of this building. Our work on the new barracks has since led to many positive and enthusiastic responses."

Nearly energy neutral

When the tender was awarded to Kleijngeld, Van Pelt had already largely taken care of the design: a nearly energy-neutral building (BENG), thanks, among other things, to an air source heat pump, PV panels and a sedum roof. "That sustainability was also a requirement of the municipality," Schrurs reveals. "She had specified that the building had to meet BENG requirements and an average GPR score of 8.5, on a scale of 1 to 10." In addition to the transparent facade, Schurs is very happy on another aspect of the facade. "We fitted that part of the façade with white façade panels that have three gloss levels: matte, silky and glossy. The type of gloss depends on the position of the sun and it works very well. In addition, the facade cladding is environmentally and maintenance friendly, which contributes to the sustainability."

Schrurs is very pleased with the cooperation with the construction company. "In practice, not everything always works exactly as we think of it on paper, but together with Kleijngeld we were always able to look for a solution in a targeted way." Kleijngeld project manager Marcel Addink agrees. "The adjustments were always in the details. In addition, Van Pelt was always open to alternative solutions, for example about the structural structure of the facade. This enabled us to ensure that we worked with FSC wood."

The depot, with its distinctive fire engines is positioned at the corner of the building.

Year construction time

Both parties are very satisfied with the creation of the new barracks, with Van Pelt directing the parties who collaborated on the construction. "Because of the great diversity of materials in the design, many suppliers were involved in this new-build barracks," says Schrurs. "However, this never led to problems and discussions." Agrees Addink: "Thanks to good consultation and good cooperation, we were able to complete the building in one year."

Construction Info

Client Municipality of Waalwijk
Design Van Pelt architects
Implementation Construction company Kleijngeld