Exterior fencing makes important contribution to New York-style Little C

With its sturdy brick facades, large windows, expressive steel railings and robust walkways, Little C residential and commercial area will soon breathe the atmosphere of New York's Greenwich Village neighborhood.

Text | Lieke van Zuilekom    

Commissioned by Bouwcombinatie Little C V.O.F. (TBI companies ERA Contour and J.P. van Eesteren), specialist in steel staircases and balustrades Wolter Tijdink B.V. is providing the engineering, production, conservation and assembly of all external fencing. From balcony fencing and terrace fencing to fencing for walkways and external escape stairs.

A total of three types of fencing will be realized for the fifteen residential blocks, says Bastiaan te Poele, Technical Director at Wolter Tijdink B.V. "First, we are making a bar fence, where the bars run through the top and bottom rails of the fence. This gives the impression of stylish wrought iron fencing. In addition, we realize an industrial fence, where a motif with crosses and bars is cut out of a steel plate. The third fencing type involves ornamental fencing, where elegant, round shapes are cut out of a plate. The industrial and ornamental fencing comes in different versions, with different top bars and fence ends."

Using Ruud Jan Kokke's design as a foundation, Wolter Tijdink B.V. provided the engineering for all exterior fencing. In the modern equipped factory in Borculo, all fencing is produced, using the latest laser cutting techniques, a press brake and a CNC-controlled punch-sawing line. The welding work is done traditionally by hand, Te Poele explains. "Next, all exterior fencing is preserved. To prevent oxidation, the fencing is successively hot-dip galvanized and powder coated in a black color shade. In total, we produce and assemble approximately 2.2 kilometers of exterior fencing. The escape stairs cover a total of about 65 floors."