Foundation Work That Respects Industrial History

Vibration-free and Low-Emission Construction in Complex Inner-City Environments

Foundation work in existing industrial buildings requires precision and customization. This is evident, among other things, from two recent projects by Fundex, commissioned by Continental Car Parks. These projects involve the construction of parking garages in former factory buildings in Vlissingen and Arnhem. In both cases, these are complex inner-city locations where historic structures are being preserved and space is limited.

To ensure safe construction without damage under these conditions, vibration-free and low-emission foundation techniques are used. The foundation specialist plays an important role in this process. 

Parking Garage at the Machinefabriek in Vlissingen

A prime example is the foundation work at the historic machine factory in Vlissingen. The factory halls, built in 1913, 1916, and 1919, stand approximately 16 meters tall and create an impressive yet challenging work environment. Large drilling rigs cannot be used here, making custom solutions necessary. Fundex therefore deploys compact, specialized machines, such as the fully electric CD20E. This lightweight and quiet drilling machine is ideally suited for inner-city applications and sensitive locations. Thanks to the absence of direct emissions and minimal noise production, work can be carried out efficiently and with respect for the existing structure.

Fundex is installing 160 foundation piles here to a depth of 25.5 meters. The project utilizes vibration-free techniques, including combination piles with grout injection. This method ensures an even load distribution on the subsoil and minimizes the risk of damage to surrounding structures.

Old Milk Factory Arnhem

A similar approach is being used in Arnhem, at the site of the former milk factory. Work is underway here on the foundation for a new, six-story parking garage, which also takes the area’s industrial history into account. Fundex is also installing more than 160 Tubex piles at this site, to a depth of approximately 14 meters. Thanks to their high load-bearing capacity and soil-displacement properties, these piles can be installed close to the existing buildings without adversely affecting the surrounding area.

Broader sustainability goals

Through these projects, Fundex underscores its role as more than just a foundation contractor. The company explicitly positions itself as an innovation partner in the concrete and steel construction sectors. By focusing on emission-free and vibration-free foundation work, Fundex demonstrates that sustainability and technical performance go hand in hand. As a result, the foundation is no longer viewed as an invisible base, but as an essential component of a construction project’s overall sustainability performance.

Strategic role

Fundex explicitly positions itself not only as a hands-on foundation specialist, but also as an innovation partner in the concrete and steel construction sectors. By operating in an emission-free and vibration-free manner, the company demonstrates that sustainability is not an abstract ambition, but a concrete and achievable reality. As a result, the foundation is no longer an invisible underlying layer, but a strategic component of a construction project’s overall sustainability performance. With projects in both the Netherlands and Belgium, Fundex proves that electric and emission-free foundation work is no longer an experiment, but a mature and future-proof solution.