A special project on the waterfront

Project Aan het Water is an ambitious project of approximately 20,000 m2 in a unique location. BAM Bouw en Techniek started construction of the project on behalf of Nijkerk Holding. "We enjoy working on projects where we can add value," says Rik Schepers, project manager for this project from BAM. For client Nijkerk Holding, it was a nice challenge. "How do you make a building that is even more attractive than other buildings?" saidCoen Fortuyn, project developer at Nijkerk Holding.

Project Aan het Water is a project in Overamstel, an area within Amsterdam's ring road that is developing considerably. "The area should become a living and working area with space for greenery, this project is really geared to that," Fortuyn says. The municipality has created a development framework with a future vision for this area. "It is one of the few areas within Amsterdam's ring road, so close to the center, that has not yet been fully developed." The area, which was previously set up mainly for businesses, is now to be transformed into a residential and working area. "The location is unique so by the water and the surroundings are suitable. Perfect for an office building like this. It has to be a building where people want to work," Fortuyn continued.

Nijkerk Holding focuses on project development of new construction and redevelopment to hold its own in rentals, really for the long term. "Therefore it has to be a quality project, this is a good example of that," Fortuyn says. Schepers concurs: "We are working with high-quality materials and sustainability is also a high priority."

More than standard

"The quality of the building is more than standard," says Schepers. Fortuyn continues, "The waterfront location, the high-quality materials such as the facade cladding, the wooden ceiling finish of the balconies and the clear height of 2.9 meters: you can see it reflected in all the choices made. All office spaces have their own outdoor space in the form of a balcony. The project will also have a large interior garden."

Project On the Water began during last year. Meanwhile, construction is in full swing, but not without its challenges. "Working with high-quality materials always requires some extra attention," says Schepers. Fortuyn: "To create a unique building, all details must be worked out to the smallest detail. Nothing should fall between shore and ship."

"The plans for the building also meet BENG requirements and we are aiming to achieve BREEAM certification. The high sustainability requirements have a lot of impact on the project, good cooperation from the beginning is therefore very important." Schepers: "In the early stages of a project you already look at this. During construction we are constantly doing checks on that sustainability component."

A successful collaboration

This office building, expected to be completed in mid-2024, is not the first project that BAM Bouw en Techniek and Nijkerk Holding have been involved in together. "Previous projects with BAM have gone well. For a project of this caliber, we knew we had a good contractor in BAM," Fortuyn said. The two parties understand each other well on many facets of the project. "The sustainable materials, the role of quality and details; BAM and Nijkerk think alike in this," says Schepers. In thinking and working methods, then, a successful collaboration.