Building on a postage stamp

In the heart of Amsterdam, TGLS worked on a complex and extensive renovation project: the renewal of De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). With unusual natural stone floors, a rabbit out of the top hat and high security requirements, it was anything but a standard job.

Known territory

The cooperation with client SPIE (then Strukton) was not a leap of faith for TGLS. The two companies had previously worked together on projects such as the temporary housing of the Dutch Parliament, the Den Haag Centraal public transport terminal and the Knoopkazerne in Utrecht. For the renovation of De Nederlandsche Bank, TGLS was contacted early on to help think along. The wish: a natural stone floor with character. "We looked at what was technically and aesthetically possible within the framework," says Patrick de Winter of TGLS. The choice finally fell on a pattern in Belgian bluestone - stylish, feasible and appropriate to the place.

Connection no mockery

Altogether, the building has sixteen floors above and three floors below ground level. With such an extensive renovation, it is quite a challenge to harmonize the different floor levels. And especially with the stairs, elevators and landings: they are at a certain height and cannot be changed just like that. Joop Goedhart of TGLS oversaw a seamless fit. "We laid out the stairs and applied the natural stone steps on site at the correct height in mortar or thick-bed adhesive."

Extra challenge without delay

In addition to the first floor and first floor, his team provided 494 stair steps and 56 m2 of platform with Belgian natural stone. A laborious job, especially since each step was cut to size. Including the wall tiling in the restrooms on all floors, the total was 4,136 m2 of tiling. And then there was the rabbit out of the top hat: "There was also 2,500 m² of anhydrite floor to be sanded and re-leveled. This was not known beforehand and was added during the project. We managed to get it done without running out of schedule, I'm kind of proud of that."

Smooth logistics

Anyone who has ever parked a truck in the heart of Amsterdam knows that every centimeter counts. De Winter: "The question is always how you fit in with your tiles among the thousands of construction movements." Because every delivery had to be pre-notified, the materials were collected outside the center and then brought to the construction site. This way, only one transport movement was needed each time. Goedhart: "It was great to see how, working closely with SPIE, we got all the crates of natural stone and steps to their destinations so smoothly."

Thinking along and unburdening

"This project was about more than the tiles; the processes around them were at least as important," De Winter emphasizes. For example, his team also took on the planning and paperwork, such as the required certificate of good conduct for each employee. Furthermore, TGLS kept in daily contact with SPIE's project leader and there was quick switching in WhatsApp groups. "It is important to have a process like this in our hands from A to Z," says TGLS. And because specialized tile knowledge is becoming increasingly scarce, TGLS actively records it in an internal knowledge base. That way it can truly answer any tile question, regardless of brand or supplier.

New project, same approach

Although the project at DNB stands out in terms of location and complexity, the challenges are recognizable: inner-city work, limited space and many parties in one place. What made this project different was how everything came together. Including the floor itself, says Goedhart: "With SPIE, we divided the floor into different phases to tile them separately and work towards each other. That way you avoid other parties having to wait for us."

Almost no completion points

TGLS delivered the floors with minimal completion issues - something that is certainly not a given on a project of this size. Always nice of course, but De Winter is especially pleased with the trust that comes from it. Like in the cooperation with SPIE: "When they manage to find you again, you know you've done well. We're proud of that."