Aesthetic nod to the past

Over 1,000 m2 of steel frames for new town hall in Den Helder

The construction of a new town hall in Den Helder has taken quite some doing, but the municipality has succeeded in realizing a new home. Since September 2023, civil servants have been working in two historic buildings on the former Willemsoord shipyard, which have been completely renovated and modernized for their new purpose. Jonkers Bouwmetaal supplied and assembled the steel inner frames, steel outer frames, steel roof lights and steel entrance portals for this.

Jonkers Bouwmetaal is an up-and-coming family business, which in almost 35 years has grown into a serious partner in the development and supply of steel for the construction industry. The delivery program is divided into the three product groups fencing and stairs, steel frames and curtain walls and building anchors. Following great projects such as the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam, Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn, The Leuve Pavilion in Rotterdam and the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek in Amsterdam, Jonkers Bouwmetaal supplied and assembled over 1,000 m2 of steel window frames for the new town hall in Den Helder. "In addition, RC4 burglar-resistant window frames and EW60 fire-resistant window frames were used in several places," says Maarten Jonkers, Project Manager at Jonkers Bouwmetaal. He says the choice of steel is a logical one because the slim profiles ensure maximum transparency and daylight penetration. "The steel window frames are also aesthetically in keeping with architecture of the past. Without compromising on technical properties."

Feeling of the past

The design for the new town hall was created by Office Winhov and Van Hoogevest Architects, who took the cultural-historical value and nautical character of the site as their starting point. Rijksmonumental building 66 houses all public functions. Of course while retaining important historical details, such as the outer councils of the authentic hipped and gabled roofs, the full ridge height and the old tie beams on which the names of former dock workers are still visible. Commissioned by Friso Bouwgroep, Jonkers Bouwmetaal supplied and installed steel interior frames, steel exterior frames and steel skylights for Building 66, allowing daylight to flow far into the building. "In addition, we made a number of entrance portals with steel frames, which were given a special design and coating," Jonkers says. "This gives the impression of weathered copper. Shutters with sealed perforations were added to the outside of these entrance portals, imitating the feel of the past."

Fire resistant window frames

A new "interior street" provides the connection to Building 72 and also serves as a reception and event space. On this street, for example, are the city counters, council chamber, committee rooms and the work café. "In the council chamber, for example, several fire-resistant window frames have been put on fire separations. In a number of places, plating with a specific perforation has also been chosen, again creating an aesthetic nod to the past." The striking Building 72 houses the workplaces for municipal officials. On both the north and south sides, this building was provided with new facades, for which Jonkers Bouwmetaal supplied and assembled the steel interior frames. "With this, our extensive expertise came into full play."