Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
During Hurks' work to expand and renovate the existing VDL headquarters in Eindhoven, VDL Groep chose to continue working in this building. "During the renovation, there was only a partition of dust between us and them," said Hurks.
VDL Groep's renovated headquarters in Eindhoven is now more than twice its size, thanks in part to the work of construction company Hurks. For this purpose, this company initially built a new tower and parking garage from February 2017 to September 2018. The tower is similar to the existing building. "We built that tower one and a half meters next to the existing building," says Marcel Stokkingreef, project manager at Hurks. The new tower had a facade on three sides, but was left open on one side: the side closest to the existing building. "We later connected both buildings with an atrium."
Hurks built the new tower one and a half meters next to the existing building.
Building gutted
But before that could happen, the façade of the existing building had to be stripped. "That was initially not VDL Groep's wish, but a closer inspection revealed that the facade needed replacing. Not surprisingly so, since this building and also this facade are over 25 years old. By replacing the facade, we have ensured that the building will also have a fresh yet recognizable appearance for the next 25 years."
Hurks started this work in October 2018, after the construction company had completed most of the work on the new tower. VDL employees had also moved in the meantime: from the existing building to the new tower. "That was quite special, to work so close to the management, among others," thinks Stokkingreef. "Particularly in the second part of the work, which was completed at the end of September 2019, there were only partitions of dust between us and them. We adjusted our work accordingly, producing less noise. In addition, we stopped by the management to make sure they would be as little inconvenienced by us as possible. The VDL management always reacted very relaxed: they never complained."
To this end, Hurks initially built a new tower and parking garage from February 2017 to September 2018.
Custom wishes
In addition, Hurks had to deal with customized requirements. "During the construction of the new tower, VDL Groep indicated that they wanted to give more élan to the renovated building. After all, it is the head office." To this end, the company engaged an interior designer, who indicated, among other things, that the floor spaces should be given more openness through different window frame applications and glass video railings. "This, along with other material applications, colors and furniture, resulted in a beautiful, transparent building. It did cause a slight delay, because actually our work was supposed to be completed in May.
This is also because of the showroom, which VDL Groep has now renamed "The World of VDL. "Here VDL Groep is going to show and experience who it is, what it does, why it does it and the added value of all the products and services it develops, produces and sells worldwide," Stokkingreef explains. "In recent years VDL Groep has grown enormously, so we had to double the space in area. Again, the interior designer has ensured that the space will function as a full-fledged experience center."
