Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
In Amsterdam North, Overhoeks has been developing into a new urban district for years. The newest residential block, Block Q or De Johanna, will have 105 social housing units, three commercial spaces, and a spacious communal outdoor area on the waterfront. Inside, the atrium is particularly eye-catching, where Steenhuis Beton constructed the staircases.
“The atrium is the heart of De Johanna. And that is precisely where we were given the opportunity to create something special,” says Aeilco Holtkamp, Sales Manager at Steenhuis Beton. “The stairs ascend playfully, connecting beautifully to the concrete edges of the void and finished in a lighter shade of gray that matches the façade. That may seem obvious, but it was quite a technical challenge.” The bottom staircase in particular, which slopes and is anchored to the floor, required creativity. “This staircase is suspended, as it were. That's really precision work.”
In addition to the atrium stairs, Steenhuis Beton also created a regular stairwell, a ramp staircase to the parking garage, and a spiral staircase connecting the basement to the ground floor.
At Steenhuis Beton, every project starts with thorough drafting. For De Johanna, the connection between the stairs and the floor was particularly challenging. “The architect wanted a smooth transition. We worked this out in BIM so that it would fit perfectly. Then came the molds: large, expensive forms that took us weeks to make.”
Attention was also paid to details such as the anti-slip finish. Holtkamp: “At first glance, they may ‘just’ be stairs, but they involve a tremendous amount of engineering and craftsmanship.”
One of the most striking features are the trees on the stairs in the atrium. Holtkamp: “They are a lot wider than usual. That's because the handrail is mounted on the tree. To ensure that the tree is not damaged, we made it extra wide. It's a beautiful combination of construction and aesthetics.”
Holtkamp is particularly proud of the collaboration. “We coordinated everything down to the last detail with Byldis and Dura Vermeer. The creation of the molds and the final installation of the elements also required close coordination. We have been working with Byldis for thirty years and have also completed many projects with Dura Vermeer. That inspires confidence.”
Overhoeks is familiar territory for Steenhuis Beton: the company previously worked on The Wave, The Line, The Twins, The Cube, The Wing, Stack, Brinktoren, and blocks N and IKC. With De Johanna, it is adding another project to the list in which its specialism is given full rein.
