High quality prefabricated wood frame elements

Semi-automated production line driven from 3D models

For the Waterside II project in Rotterdam, K&A Houtbouw bv was asked by main contractor Staton Bouw to supply a good number of meters of high-quality timber frame elements.

K&A, active for more than 25 years in the construction of wooden bulkheads and other wooden buildings, has also focused in recent years on the supply of prefabricated timber frame elements under the label Kroonhout I Prefab HSB. To guarantee consistent quality, production takes place under conditioned conditions. Director Pascal Vergouwen: "We have been engaged in supplying prefab HSB elements for a number of years now, so as a supplier we are a reasonable newcomer within the construction industry. We supply the non-structural façade-filling elements for Waterside II. The contractor installs the structural shell and we fill the outside of the facades. Of course, we can also take care of installing the window frames. In connection with the construction process of STATON Bouw, it was decided not to realize the window frames for Waterside II 'ex works'. However, we do ensure that all recesses are temporarily wind and watertight."

Custom solutions

When it comes to customized solutions in precast wood frame construction, Kroonhout I Prefab HSB responds to the needs of its clients. To make prefab construction successful, the engineering process takes place in 3D/BIM. Kroonhout's semi-automated production line connects seamlessly with this engineering software. "By building the model virtually together as a team at an early stage, we arrive at realistic solutions and correct detailing, as well as logical connections to other disciplines such as the structural shell and window frames. We then prefabricate the elements and ensure that they meet the agreed-upon requirements, such as dimensional stability, insulation value and airtightness."

Trust

In total, the gross is about 5,500 m2, one of the larger projects for Kroonhout. "The cooperation between STATON Bouw and Kroonhout has been excellent. That creates a lot of confidence for future collaborations."