Seven buildings, no two alike

Different steelwork for each block

No two buildings are alike. The Oosterlingen complex on the island of Oostenburg in Amsterdam consists of seven residential buildings, each with its own shape and facade material. That design made the steelwork a one-of-a-kind project. H&A Metaal b.v. from Ens supplied the fencing, support structures, and facade steel for virtually the entire project.

H&A came into the picture as early as the bidding process. The company prepared a cost estimate for the steel components for the contractor and was subsequently awarded the contract to carry out the work. “It all starts with the cost estimate for the bidding process. We got involved over three years ago,” says owner Arjen Smit. The work was prepared using a BIM protocol to ensure that the components would fit together seamlessly on the construction site. Among other things, H&A provided the roof terrace and balcony railings, facade doors, and interior gallery and atrium structures in the stairwells. The company also supplied the structural steel for the cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction of two blocks and the structure atop the tower’s penthouse, and carried out all the steelwork for the facades.

Clay and greenery called for engineering

The biggest challenge lay in the unique facades. For the clay block, H&A constructed the facade on steel beams and corner posts. It was formed off-site and then assembled as a single unit. “Clay was an unfamiliar material for everyone involved,” says Smit. “That required a lot of engineering.” The green facade of another building also demanded precision. H&A handled all the steelwork and drilling and installed over seven hundred drill anchors to secure facade brackets to the facades, to which steel cable nets are attached.

Working Together Toward a Cohesive Whole

The atrium near the first two blocks presented a challenge for both the engineering and installation teams. H&A coordinated this step by step with the construction crew from contractor Vink Bouw to ensure the work was carried out safely and appropriately. “We work with those guys quite often. It just works wonderfully,” says Smit. He looks back on the result with pride. “It’s truly a unique project; nothing is the same in these apartment complexes—every block is unique. Everywhere, there were different proportions, compositions, materials, and colors. That makes it quite a challenge, but that’s exactly what we love. Once it’s finished, it will truly be a very special building. We’re proud that we were able to contribute to it.”