Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
The facade of the Breda Courthouse was sampled and delivered by Decomo after an intensive DBFMO tender process in collaboration with client In Balans. In the trapezoidal volumes, alternately arranged in the plinth, middle and upper sections of the building, the large windows and the architectural precast concrete of, among other things, the load-bearing sandwich elements play a crucial role in the materialization of the transparent design.
Decomo co-developed the facade concept, which was executed with both single-shell and sandwich concrete elements. Hulstaert: "The concrete mix for the plinth elements and the outer plate of the sandwich elements was composed, taking into account the architect's wish to be able to realize different appearances with the same composition. A careful process took place in which experimentation with three finishing methods took place. The façade elements were honed, acidified or profiled/blasted. This allowed us to optimally demonstrate that architectural concrete can be custom designed, both in terms of production and finishing methods. The result can be seen."
Decomo moves on the Dutch market from its own strengths, Hulstaert said. "That means: we develop and engineer with everyone, listening to all parties, from client to installation company. We take the time in the preliminary phase, without obligation, to integrate all the wishes of, for example, the structural engineer, architect, main contractor and facade builder as much as possible into our prefabricated facade elements. This approach ensures the necessary click between parties and guarantees a good start to further cooperation. We are self-confident enough to step in only when the architect has a decisive role. Everything starts with the architect: he comes up with the aesthetic concept and the materialization. We think along with the contractors. Decomo once started from the contracting industry, and we can connect the worlds of design and execution well, from 50 years of experience in architectural concrete, in all its manifestations."
