Roofing that makes a difference

Retention roof contributes to a sustainable Amsterdam

On the edge of the IJ in Amsterdam, NoordBaak is taking shape: a project that combines housing, commercial space and innovative sustainable solutions. In the realization of this project, Gervalin Dakbedekkingen BV is playing a crucial role. The Dreumel family business deployed its expertise for a special technical feat: an innovative retention roof that retains water and feeds a roof garden.

Gervalin Dakbedekkingen BV is an established name in the Netherlands. The company, founded in 1980, specializes in plastic and bituminous roofing systems for flat and pitched roofs. With a team of some 35 professionals, Gervalin works on projects throughout the country. "We are a family business and focus strongly on quality and cooperation," says Sebastiaan Gerritsen, director at Gervalin and second generation within the company. "We work with our own people and are loyal to our suppliers and clients. That makes us flexible and reliable." 

Retention roof for North Hook 

For NoordBaak, one of four residential buildings on the Werfstraat in Amsterdam, Gervalin was brought in because of its knowledge of retention roofs. "With a retention roof, rainwater is not drained directly into the sewer system, but is collected in a special system," Gerritsen explains. "This water is then used to feed a roof garden, for example. You can think of it as a kind of bathtub with crates in which water is stored." The benefits are great: it relieves Amsterdam's aging sewage system and contributes to a more sustainable city. 

The project had its challenges. "The roof houses a lot of installations. Yet it had to function as a watertight and sustainable system," Gerritsen says. "In addition, there is continuously a certain amount of water on the roof, which requires extra technical precision."

Collaboration as key 

A well-functioning building is created through cooperation, Gerritsen emphasizes. "At NoordBaak, we work closely with Kondor Wessels Amsterdam, among others, and our regular partner Van Ginkel Groep, which provides the retention and roof garden design. That joint effort and the pleasant working atmosphere make this project special. Each party takes the other seriously, and you can feel that." Gervalin's focus is on sustainability. "We work with recycled materials and continuously steer towards environmentally friendly solutions. That fits with our vision: always continue to innovate and contribute to a
better future." 

A lasting difference 

NoordBaak is more than a building; it is a step towards a more sustainable Amsterdam. Gervalin Dakbedekkingen BV contributes to this with innovative solutions that go beyond standard solutions. "We are proud of what we have built here," Gerritsen concludes. "This is what we stand for as a company: quality, cooperation and innovation."