DC Bavelse Berg, Breda | Market-based and future-proof

DC Bavelse Berg: eight soccer fields big, with a solar park on the roof

Preparation is everything in modern construction, even with relatively simple structures like that of a distribution center. "We have all the experts in house to be able to build this project on time and to spec," says plan developer Vincent Kenkhuis of SYSTABO about DC Bavelse Berg. A multi-tenant distribution center of no less than 40,000 square meters in Breda, with 52 loading docks and an impressive solar park on the roof, which will be delivered to VolkerWessels Logistics this fall.

SYSTABO offers customized solutions for the client. Due to the good cooperation of the sister companies within the VolkerWessels group, it is possible to switch quickly. In this case from land position to operation. Kenkhuis: "A number of smart innovations have resulted from this process, such as an Energy Service Company (ESCO). An ESCO handles the investment and operation of the solar roof, delivering sustainable energy directly to the building's users. Excess energy is delivered back to the grid."

DC Bavel Mountain gets super-flat floors.

Construction process Bavel Mountain

Based on Design & Build, all conditions for the construction approach could be fully worked out, says Kenkhuis. "First, soundings were made to determine the condition of the subsurface. Then the entire project - including the solar park - was structurally calculated.

In addition to a structural engineer, the architect offers his added value. Especially when building properties with a high visibility location along the highway, in this case the A27, this is important."

Extra attention was paid to the bearing capacity of the subgrade prior to construction. "In the upper soil layers, settlements were expected. To avoid expensive pile driving, a special compaction method was chosen: Cofra Dynamic Compaction. With this method, the soil is mechanically compacted to limit settlements." This allowed the concrete floor to be founded on steel instead of floor piles. So in addition to the many construction benefits, this also provides an advantage in material consumption, in the form of less concrete.

The roof will be lined with solar panels.

Interim adjustments

The eight soccer field building has two shipping sides. The warehouse is gas-fired with high-efficiency heaters and the offices are air-conditioned all-electric with a heat pump. Kenkhuis: "The construction had to be realized in a period of nine months. This was easily achievable thanks to the integrated approach. Various tenant wishes were also taken into account during the shell construction phase. These include super-flat floors for the application of narrow-aisle trucks and specific wishes for the dock equipment and office furnishings."

Toward completion, these tenant requirements could be incorporated into the schedule. "During the realization of this kind of voluminous building, the various subcontractors run like a 'train' behind each other in the planning. We start with the groundwork and a few days later the foundation is started, even before the entire groundwork is completed. Finally, the steel structure, roof and facade are assembled. Exceptionally, the sprinkler system is already assembled from the rubble package, before the floors are poured. The integrated approach to development, design, engineering, construction and tenant requirements produces a great result, within the planned construction time."

In October 2019, the market-compliant and future-proof distribution center will be completed with 'Very Good' BREEAM certification. The usable floor area is divided into four rentable units. Of these, two units are still available.