A curtain of concrete: craftsmanship in practice

"An architect gives us a challenging design and we make it a reality," says Bruno Louage, head of engineering at Decomo. For the KIT Hotel in Amsterdam, his team is realizing an architectural dream: a façade with a unique wavy pattern reminiscent of a curtain. "It seems simple, but the technical complexity is enormous."

The KIT Hotel, located next to the Tropenmuseum, is a model of modernization and urban redevelopment. The former Tropenhotel is being transformed into a high-end hotel, while retaining historical elements. Decomo, a Belgian company specializing in architectural concrete, is playing a crucial role in this metamorphosis. The company is known for its custom-made solutions for facades, with each job being unique and completely tailored to the architect's vision. 

Decomo's involvement in the KIT Hotel began thanks to architect Wiel Arets, with whom Decomo previously completed the Antwerp Tower in Belgium. "That experience made him trust us again with this project," Louage explains. At the KIT Hotel, Decomo was commissioned to design and produce both the plinth around the high-rise and various ceiling tiles. The challenge: everything had to perfectly match the architect's aesthetic vision, including an intricate undulating pattern in the concrete.

Technical feats in concrete

Decomo's role went beyond production. Louage explains, "The architect designed a pattern with subtle waves, which we translated into molds of cast rubber." This precision work required close collaboration with supplier NOEplast. In addition, the anchors had to be hidden behind the elements weighing almost two tons. For this, Decomo worked with Leviath (Halfen), a specialist in anchoring systems. "Everything had to fit exactly, with no visible fixings," Louage says.

Expertise and innovation

Although the project is still in progress, Louage already exudes pride: "We know that everything is right when it fits and the customer is satisfied. No news, is good news." The undulating lines of the KIT Hotel are a symbol of Decomo's expertise and innovation. The result? A building that enriches the urban environment with beautiful architectural concrete elements.