Bevela, Utrecht | New paint wholesale company Bevela in Utrecht is completed

'Despite nitrogen issues, we still met deadline'

The move was on Ascension Day, a few days later was the opening of the new premises of paint wholesaler Bevela in Utrecht. Exactly on schedule. Sticking to the agreed deadline was not without its challenges, explains Roland van Vliet, manager of F5 Projectengroep, which designed and realized the building.

They are regular assignments for F5 Projectengroep, designing and building commercial properties, Van Vliet makes clear. "We've even had other paint wholesalers as clients before, so we know what specific aspects are involved. We know the industry and the industry knows us."

So did Bevela, he points out. That company, which until recently was located in a rented building - also in Utrecht - approached F5 Projectengroep in 2018. "One of the first things discussed then was the completion date, late May 2020. Because of the termination of the lease, this could not be changed." So when during the preparations the nitrogen issue came up, there was an immediate challenge, says Van Vliet. "That one cost us two months, space we didn't actually have. We were able to optimize the schedule during construction. That's how we met the deadline despite the nitrogen issue. "The process began with finding a suitable location for the new building, he explains. Several lots were looked at and eventually the choice fell on The Heroine Avenue. "A site where two roads lead to it and therefore it is easily accessible." The lot has a size of 4,800 square feet, the new building an area of 2,000 square feet. "There is the possibility of expanding by 600 square meters. Furthermore, plenty of ample parking spaces have been realized. Visitors can additionally use charging stations." The building is divided into a showroom, an office section and storage. Functionality was an important starting point in the design. "Naturally, we also opted for a clear appearance at the entrance and showroom, with lots of glass and use of color."

Furthermore, the building consists of sandwich panels finished with profiled siding. The storage is equipped with a loading dock and paint lockers have been installed inside. "Paint storage has to meet certain conditions. From our previous experience, we know exactly which ones and how to achieve them." The new building, Van Vliet points out, is tailored to today's requirements in terms of sustainability. "The building is gasless and equipped, among other things, with an air-source heat pump." During the preparation phase, the design was worked out in 3D. He says that helped ensure that, apart from the nitrogen issue, the construction went fine. "As mentioned, we know the industry and also ensure efficient communication with short lines of communication. This allows us to resolve any bottlenecks quickly. In this way, we were able to ensure that Bevela was able to open the doors of the new location at the end of May as agreed."