'An exceptional aluminum facade concept that delivers superior quality with shorter construction time'

Blitta Gevelystemen, which will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2024, has developed, produced and installed the precast element façade for the new OKU House in Amsterdam. Thanks to early collaboration with developer Boelens de Gruyter, architectural firm KCAP, contractor Dura Vermeer, consulting firm DGMR and Blitta Geveltechniek, an architecturally, technically and financially feasible facade design was realized for this special project.

Blitta specializes in realizing aluminum precast facade elements for large utility buildings in the Netherlands. Examples are Valley Amsterdam and Hoog Catharijne in Utrecht. Nynke Bemelmans, head of project management: "Blitta strives to get involved in complex facade projects as early as possible. This so that the architects' final designs can actually be realized, by coming up with smart solutions to make them technically, qualitatively and financially feasible. This is a challenge we take on with enthusiasm."

Intensive consultations

"For example, Dura Vermeer involved us early on in the OKU House project," Bemelmans says. "My colleague Tonny Cuppen, senior façade consultant, was involved from the design phase to implementation. Several design sessions with all parties led to an optimal balance of glass, panels and aesthetically designed fins that blend seamlessly into the balconies. After a positive evaluation of the technical mock-up by Boelens de Gruyter, KCAP and the Amsterdam welstand committee, production could start for the execution phase."

Prefabricated element facade

The facade concept for OKU House meets the highest requirements in terms of wind and water tightness and airtight construction, as well as the complex logistical requirements of inner-city construction. For a project like OKU House, Blitta develops project-specific system profiles to achieve the best possible facade. With all disciplines in-house - from engineering and production to assembly - Blitta stands out in today's market. "By manufacturing the nearly 1,000 aluminum facade elements for OKU House in our own production facility, we ensure the highest quality standards."

With a precast element façade like that of OKU House, it is crucial that all disciplines - from concrete skeleton to steel structures and balcony penetrations - are coordinated at an early stage so that the aluminum elements can be hung like "a painting. Thanks to intensive collaboration and 3D modeling, Blitta's team worked with Dura Vermeer to accurately work out all connections in advance. This resulted in efficient assembly, including the installation of a complete floor in one working day. 

In Blitta's designs, site work is kept to a minimum. So too with OKU House. Elements were delivered in batches of four on special transport racks and attached to the structure directly from the truck. "Packing schedules, construction sequence and logistics are crucial aspects that were thought out and implemented with military precision. This has resulted in a streamlined process from delivery to assembly, where efficiency and quality assurance go hand in hand. Each project, such as OKU House, is approached by Blitta with an eye for detail and a commitment to perfection, with our experience and innovation providing the foundation for every façade element delivered."

Icon OKU House 

"With the realization of OKU House, in the year we celebrate our 150th anniversary, Blitta has further enhanced its reputation as a leader in facade construction. This project was anything but standard and presented us with many challenges, including logistical complexity, structural connections and limited space on the construction site. Together with Dura Vermeer, we overcame these challenges and delivered a result of which we are justly proud. We are grateful for the fruitful collaboration with all parties involved and excited to add OKU House to our portfolio of iconic projects," said Bemelmans