Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
Hyde Park is being built in Hoofddorp, between Schiphol Airport and the Zuidas business district: an urban neighborhood with international appeal and no fewer than 3,800 homes. Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling is realizing Knightsbridge there, a unique ensemble of six buildings and a total of 406 apartments. Construction site manager Arnold Baars and Head of Construction Realization Roy Akkerman talk about the challenges, choices, and team spirit behind this special project.
Knightsbridge consists of six separate ‘houses’, each with its own architecture. Ranging from natural stone to clay tiles and from gallery apartments to maisonettes: no two facades or housing types are the same. “The variety makes the project incredibly challenging,” says Baars. “We are dealing with 320 different types of homes, including 65 maisonettes. That requires smart logistics and tight coordination.” Akkerman adds: “What's special is that the six houses form a unity. Together, they tell a single story within Hyde Park. That makes it even more interesting for us to realize.”
The construction of Knightsbridge required technical ingenuity. Four of the six facades were completely prefabricated in Germany, drawn in detail and assembled. Other facades were finished in natural stone or slate tiles. “We want to understand everything we build, which is why we often take on part of the design process,” explains Akkerman. “Heddes is not a contracting company, but a construction company that is deeply committed to technology.”
The start of the project was exciting. “We had to drain the construction site in eight phases,” says Akkerman. “We did this step by step, together with the consultants, groundworkers, and contractors. It was exciting, but it worked.” Baars: “We had many discussions with the client about this. Always solution-oriented. And now? Now we have a lot of new knowledge for future projects.”
The layout also presented challenges. In the maisonette apartments, for example, where the floor plans are playfully staggered. “That made the finishing work complicated,” says Baars. “That's why we involved the staircase builder at a very early stage, so that the stairs could be incorporated into the shell.”
The project forms an important part of Hyde Park. The neighborhood will have a large city park and will be home to a diverse mix of residents, from expats to young families. In addition to 406 homes, Knightsbridge also has a courtyard garden, an underground parking garage, and commercial space for restaurants and sports facilities. Most of the Knightsbridge apartments have now been sold. Baars looks ahead: “Knightsbridge is a project with many challenges, but that's what makes it so great. Here, we are demonstrating what Heddes stands for: craftsmanship, collaboration, and courage.”
