Zalando, Bleiswijk | Netherlands' largest distribution center under construction

Demolish and build happen at the same time

The very largest distribution center in the Netherlands is being built in Bleiswijk. The DC has over 140,000 m² - comparable to about 19 soccer fields - and will be the most automated warehouse in Europe for the online retailer that will use it.

Everything was considered in the design of the distribution center. The sprawling logistics center will not only be functional, high-tech and sustainable. Many generous window openings and high-quality climate control systems should also make it a pleasant place to work.

The logistics center is a so-called "brownfield development"; the building will be built on the former FloraHolland site in Bleiswijk. The demolition of some of the present company buildings freed up 22 ha of building land here. In the new situation, these will be divided into 100,000 m² commercial floor, 30,000 m² mezzanine floor and 10,000 m² office under one roof.

Hybrid construction

Due to soil conditions, the DC is being built on over 43,000 foundation piles. As soon as the foundation for the first unit was ready, construction of the shell was started. "We opted for a hybrid construction," says Geert van Doorn of Aannemingsbedrijf Wouters Schijndel. "A combination of steel and precast concrete. Because of the large spans and high loads on the mezzanine floor, we are building that part in precast concrete. Furthermore, we build in steel because of the speed and relatively high flexibility. This way we achieve the highest construction speed and work cost-effectively."

Large windows also make it a pleasant workspace.

Sustainability

The construction of the DC will be realized according to the standards of BREEAM Very good. This ambition requires high-quality installations. 28,000 solar panels, good insulation, high-quality glazing and separate energy meters per compartment make the building sustainable in every respect. In turn, contracting company Wouters Schijndel registers all traffic movements and uses recyclable materials wherever possible. "Lower than BREEAM 'Very Good' already does not occur to us," says Franco Nooijen of Aannemingsbedrijf Wouters Schijndel. "We know our part."

Busy construction site

Because of the size of the project and the high rate of construction required, there are soon many people on the construction site. "During the foundations, about 80 to 100 workers were already working," Van Doorn says. "There were four piling rigs and at the same time demolition was still going on. It's a logistical challenge to keep it all on track." The division into eight compartments helps with this.

Organization and coordination

Immense as the project is, it is progressing well. Nooijen: "The mild, wet winter is less favorable for us, but we can deal with that. In addition, there are many discussions with the client. In terms of installations and finishing, many decisions still need to be made. Installation also needs to be coordinated. The size and complexity of today's "intralogistics" do not lie. Users do not want cm² unused. Installations, fire safety and escape routes; everything has to be right. Fortunately, we have good cooperation with the project developer in this regard. An eighth of the warehouse is being made suitable for a fully automated warehouse."

The first three compartments are now standing. On schedule, the entire shell will be upright and the DC will be wind and watertight before the construction vacations.