Preserving and maintaining porch apartments makes living a lot more comfortable

A total of 279 homes will be made more energy efficient, safer and given a facelift, meeting today's and tomorrow's requirements. Main contractor Van Wijnen is carrying out this project together with a select group of chain partners. Since the tenants will continue to live in their homes during the renovation work, it is important that they are clearly informed and that all the work is well coordinated.

The homes dated from the late 1950s. They no longer met today's requirements, had energy label E/F, for example, and were in urgent need of a refresh. The energetic improvement of the complexes is part of a major sustainability task, as Woonstichting De Key wants to be completely climate neutral by 2050. "The project is divided into several phases, in which we tackle two residential buildings every year. The work of phase 1 with 65 homes at Anton Waldorpstraat 71-88 and Charles Leickertstraat 1-19 was completed in early 2019," Frank Reijnen, project manager at Van Wijnen, explains the project. "In September 2020, we started a second phase with 80 homes in the same streets, with the works expected to be completed in April 2021."

Energetic improvements and refreshment

Van Wijnen was commissioned to make all homes more energy efficient - from energy label E/F to A - and to provide mechanical ventilation. Furthermore, safety and comfort for residents must be improved and all homes will receive a thorough refurbishment. "Together with the chain partners, we are responsible for the thorough renovation and optimization of all homes. Roofs, facades and floors will be better insulated and window frames will be replaced. Demand-controlled mechanical ventilation will ensure good air quality. The old general lighting will make way for energy-efficient LED lighting. In addition, the concrete and masonry will be cleaned and repaired. Wood and concrete work, steel, balcony floors and stairwells will be painted. The entrance doors, doorbells and mailboxes, as well as radiator pipes in the residence will be replaced. Other interior and exterior improvements will also be made. Finally, we are installing a videophone system and checking the electrical system," explained chief executive Ivo Gehlen. "We start up a new home every day and spend an average of six days there. This tight schedule is only achievable through good cooperation between all construction partners. We have been working with the same chain partners for a long time, so we feel and complement each other well. We also learn continuously during the works and we apply those new solutions in the next phases."

Open communication and clear agreements

Such a major remodeling process involves many temporary inconveniences. During the preservation process, residents will continue to live in their homes. "We are guests of tenants and therefore want to limit the inconveniences. In a model home, residents get a picture in advance of what their home will look like," concludes commercial manager Erwin Verburg. "It is also important to make good agreements and communicate openly with all construction partners, as well as with Woonstichting De Key and especially with the residents."  

Construction Info

Client 
De Key housing foundation, Amsterdam

Main contractor 
Van Wijnen Heerhugowaard