New gymnasium with striking design combines lots of glass with striking roof edge

This building is being constructed on behalf of the Municipality of Edam-Volendam and Kuiper Steur Architects drew a design that stands out because of its striking shape with sloping facades, many building-height glass sections, a roof edge in white polyester composite and a roof with sedum vegetation. Mercuur Bouw from Purmerend is working in a construction team to realize an almost energy-neutral accommodation with a large gymnastics hall, a gymnasium, a dance studio with two dance halls and a dojo.

The new Sports Campus ETB Cas Sombroek, on an access road to the Broeckgouw district of Volendam, distinguishes itself by its open and extrovert character from most other sports and gymnasiums, which are more "closed. Especially the surroundings with lots of water and the IJsselmeerdijk were a source of inspiration for Kuiper Steur Architects. This architectural firm won the tender for the design of this building in September 2017, after which Mercuur Bouw, M3Energie and Pieters Bouwtechniek together with the architectural firm further developed and realized the project in a construction team context. "We participated in a tender issued by the municipality of Edam-Volendam and were awarded this project. Originally the intention was for the gymnastics association to get a new place, but gradually the project grew," says project manager André Boon of Mercuur Bouw. "The final design includes a gymnasium and a low ceiling gymnasium with a 'high' gymnastics hall on the first floor and a hall for self-defense sports (dojo) and a dance studio with two rooms on the upper floor. Each room has its own challenges, but in the dance halls, the main requirement was to use materials that on the one hand provide good room acoustics and on the other hand prevent disturbing noise in other rooms."   

Striking design with angled facades

Mercuur Bouw began work on this very striking gem at the end of November. Thus, the architects designed a modern building with a striking shape, characterized by sloping facades at a 60° angle. "We drilled 122 concrete piles into the ground, on which a concrete floor was poured as the foundation for this new sports complex," the project manager continues. "Both the front and rear facades consist of a building-high curtain wall with slender profiles and large areas of glass, which provide plenty of light. The other vertical facade sections are constructed of gabions. On the sloping sides, sedum vegetation immediately catches the eye. The whole is rounded off with a striking wide roof edge in white polyester composite. The roof itself consists of steel clad in sedum."

Energy efficiency and sustainability as a theme

Mercuur Bouw is in charge of structural work and interior finishing, and the project is scheduled for completion in October of this year. The design also paid close attention to sustainability and energy efficiency. "This almost energy-neutral sports complex is completely gas-free. A ground source heat pump system provides cooling and heating for all areas. This building includes a sedum roof, which will also function as a water buffer, and PV panels also contribute to increased energy efficiency," Boon concludes. "When Sportcampus ETB Cas Sombroek is finished, it will be the new home of Catholic Club and Neighborhood Work Foundation (dance and yoga hall), St. Mauritius (gymnasium and gym) and Budocentrum Fun and Fit (dojo). The Municipality of Edam-Volendam is also one of the tenants."  

Project info

Steel truss with free span of 28 m forms crown of steel structure

For the engineering, production, delivery and assembly of steel structures, main contractors usually call on a regular partner. Thus Mercuur Bouw contacted the specialists of Siem Steur Staalconstructies for the Gymsportcentrum. 

"We were actually contacted back in 2010 when the local gymnastics club wanted to build a new venue. Gradually the project evolved into a real sports complex and we were awarded the contract through the main contractor," states director Simon Steur. "We are responsible for the design, production and assembly of the main supporting structure as well as the steel structures for the main stairwell and adjacent fencing, the walkway and the escape stairwell on the outside. Eyecatcher is a large truss with a free span of 28 meters, mounted 12 meters high, for which we first made the calculations and drawings, then produced the structure in our workshop and then installed it on site." The project started at the steel construction company in early October. Just before the end of the year, the structures were produced and in the meantime, assembly is in full swing. By mid-March, all structural work, except for the escape stairwell, should be completely finished.

Project info

High-quality air conditioning systems contribute to a healthy and sustainable environment for athletes

A healthy and comfortable indoor climate is crucial for every project. This certainly also applies to a sports facility such as the Gymsportcentrum in Volendam, where people work intensively individually or in groups: gymnastics, dancing, ... or training for a self-defense sport. That is why Schermer Installatietechniek from Hoorn was engaged by Mercuur Bouw and the other construction team partners to develop and install the climate installations for this project.

"This building is completely gas-free. We integrated a WKO installation, which extracts heat and cold from the ground. A heat pump generates the heat and WTW air treatment units are responsible for the sustainable ventilation of the rooms," says Barend Schermer, who, as the third generation of the family, has been at the head of the installation company for just 10 years. "We have now been in existence for more than 65 years and have built up extensive experience in plumbing, air treatment, air conditioning, central heating, gas, water supply, compressed air and measurement and control technology. This enables us to always think along with our clients to develop a suitable solution. In doing so, we work with the latest techniques. We also carried out the installation work for Mercuur Bouw in De Seinpaal sports hall in Volendam. The municipality was satisfied with cooperation and results and therefore chose this main contractor and its construction partners again for this project."

Construction Info

Client 
Municipality of Edam-Volendam

Architect 
Kuiper Steur Architects, Assendelft

Main contractor 
Mercuur Bouw, Purmerend