Fast, efficient and weather-independent construction with wooden facade elements: The development and future of precast

One address and one responsible party for the complete facade. But also: a considerable optimization of processes. According to Oene Wassenaar, director of Vianen, it is not surprising that more and more prefabricated construction is taking place. Also when it comes to wooden façade elements. "Labor is becoming increasingly expensive and the number of hands on the construction site as well as in the factories is decreasing rapidly. Automation of processes is necessary in this case, for which our factory is ideally suited. In our production halls in Montfoort, all facade elements are produced under the best labor and climate conditions, resulting in optimal efficiency and quality. The production time is considerably shorter than on site. Moreover, in the factory the tolerances are smaller...."

"Prefab offers opportunities to automate across the chain. But also to tune parts even better," Wassenaar says. "The construction industry still works with fairly wide tolerances. For example, to fit frames, edge pieces and/or facades properly into the facade elements. As a result, assembly parties are regularly faced with unwanted seams, gaps and seals. Prefab offers a solution for this. Processes can be better tuned in the factory, making tolerances smaller and more correct. Insulation, airtightness and waterproofing, among other things, are thus raised to the very highest level."

One point of contact and one warranty party

"A building has a number of crucial components, such as the foundation, the shell and the facade," Wassenaar said. "In the future, Vianen wants to fully assume the role of facade builder so that at least this building component excels. Both in appearance and performance. In addition to the design and production of prefab wooden façade elements, we can integrate all frames, windows, glass facades and other elements in our factory. In addition, we are happy to take care of on-site assembly, so that clients are assured of one point of contact and one guarantee party for the complete facade. Because the market visibly appreciates this, we want to expand this service further in the coming period. So we are looking for partner companies who can and dare to take on this responsibility together with us."

Safety, respect and trust

The traditional model of sales and purchasing will increasingly change in the coming years to the exchange of techniques and specifications, Wassenaar expects. "Because only then can we, as partners, create a high-quality building. In this context, three key concepts are essential: safety, respect and trust. Safety relates not only to the production and assembly processes, but also to the social aspect. For example, we must be able to express expectations and doubts to each other without any consequences. The traditional role of customer and supplier is giving way to far-reaching partnerships in which everyone is equal and respects each other. Moreover, a deal is always a deal. Only if we can rely on this can we work together in the long term, learn from each other and put together the best products."

For the best price

In order to raise prefabricated construction to the very highest level, Vianen hopes to bring the most important partners to the table even earlier. Preferably even before the plan and price formation, so that design and construction can be done not for the lowest but for the best price. "The facade design is worked out by our engineers in Tekla/BIM as standard," says Wassenaar. "We are currently filling our BIM library with structures and elements that have been tested and approved. As a result, we will eventually have all the modular building blocks for an optimally performing facade." Once approved, Vianen's entire production line is controlled from the BIM model, eliminating communication noise. "Then the complete facade elements are transported just-in-time to the construction site, where we also take our responsibility. For example, by advising and taking care of the air and watertight assembly. This not only sounds promising, but it is. Vianen is happy to be at the forefront of this trend."