ING headquarters, Amsterdam | The power of knowledge

Inspiring, future-proof, energy-efficient ... the new ING headquarters in Amsterdam-Zuidoost is garnering praise in numerous areas. What remains somewhat underexposed is the role of Arton, which took care of the concrete construction.

"Actually, we're fine with that," says Leon Vrielink, who, together with Patrick Martens, forms the management of Arton. "Just compare it to the structures we build: they too are rarely in the spotlight, but they do carry the rest of the building. As long as our clients experience that, we don't have to be in the foreground."

Skyline of the Netherlands

Arton is a specialist in the engineering and realization of complex and high-quality concrete works. The company's portfolio includes numerous appealing projects. Hoog Catharijne and the World Trade Center in Utrecht, The Student Hotel in Delft, the reconstruction of the parking garage of Eindhoven Airport, Valley Amsterdam, ... you could say that Arton helps shape the skyline of the Netherlands.

Demanding dynamics

"Of course that's nice," Martens said. "Not only because they are high-profile projects, but also because they usually involve a lot of specific knowledge. Because of special constructions, for example, extra safety requirements or an extremely short construction time." But it's also simply about decisiveness, Vrielink adds. "We understand the demanding dynamics of this type of construction project and have all the know-how in the project field in addition to the technical knowledge. We therefore prefer to be involved in a project from day one; this is when our added value is greatest."

Challenge

At ING's headquarters, it was no different. From engineering the formwork to realizing the concrete work: Arton worked intensively with client G&S Bouw. "The construction time of twenty months was typically one of those challenges that suits Arton," Martens said. "In addition, it was of course nice that we worked with circular concrete. Part of the concrete that was released during the demolition of the Frankemaheerd complex we were able to reuse without loss of quality."

And so the men of Arton steadily continue to build the skyline of the Netherlands, knowing that their work may not always be seen, but it is appreciated.