Fire safety first at Berghaus

Just off the A10 ring road in Amsterdam, the former Berghaus Plaza is being rebuilt. Led by Round Hill Capital and Boelens de Gruyter, a lively live/work neighborhood is being created here, with Aqua+ commissioned by BAM Wonen to be responsible for fire safety. With its specialized sprinkler systems and fire alarm and evacuation systems, the family-owned company is contributing to the safety of this innovative project.

Aqua+ is the Dutch market leader in the design, installation and maintenance of sprinkler systems and other fire safety installations. "Together with BAM Wonen we have already realized more projects," says Harold Smoes, project manager at Aqua+. "It's about knowledge, expertise, price and positive experiences. And I think we have a nice balance in that. BAM approved our bid and we got to work in Amsterdam!"

Beyond the standard

Berghaus Plaza is more than a standard office building. It is an iconic project with two residential towers and an office building, all placed on a commercial plinth. Aqua+ took responsibility for the fire safety systems in the office portion. "We have been involved from the design phase," Smoes says. "That gives us the space to think along about how to best integrate our installations into the architecture. The result? The sprinkler pipes are almost invisibly concealed in the impressive atrium."

This atrium forms one of the most visual elements of the office building. Here the sprinkler systems had to be not only functional, but also visually fit into the design. "The architects had a clear idea of what they wanted. We worked together to ensure that our installations would not interfere with the look of the atrium. That meant looking closely at the steel model and coming up with smart solutions, such as hiding pipes behind wider beams," Smoes explains.

Collaboration as a success factor

Aqua+ works closely with the other subcontractors to ensure that the fire safety systems fit seamlessly with the other building technologies. Smoes emphasizes the importance of planning: "Prior to construction, we built the entire project in a digital model. This ensures that we detect and solve potential bottlenecks as early as the design phase. This prevents problems during the actual construction and makes the process much more efficient."

The cooperation between Aqua+ and the other parties involved is an essential part of the success of this project. "We have made good agreements about lead times and progress," Smoes says. "That ensures that the construction process runs smoothly, and we are proud of the way we are working together on this project."

One of the biggest advantages of this approach is efficiency on the construction site. "Because we have built everything into the computer in advance, the workers on the construction site run into each other less. This prevents congestion and allows us to work faster, without getting in each other's way," Smoes explains. The result is a streamlined process where cooperation and precision are key.

Always an extra step forward

As completion approaches, Smoes looks back with pride at the work Aqua+ has done. "The atrium is one of the parts we are really proud of. It looks fantastic, and the way we have concealed the sprinkler systems is a technical masterpiece. In addition, I am proud of the cooperation with the other parties. We made clear agreements from the beginning and we kept them. That's what makes us strong as a company." He concludes, "This project is a great example of how we work at Aqua+. We are involved from the beginning, think along with the client and always go the extra mile when necessary. We look forward to delivering the new Berghaus safe and fireproof soon."