Quality and efficiency come together in electrical installation TU/e campus

Stichting Woonbedrijf SWS Hhvl, architect VenhoevenCS and Heijmans realized 735 student housing units on the grounds of the Eindhoven University of Technology, better known as TU Eindhoven. The plan consists of an East and West Tower, each with fourteen floors. Between the residential towers is the low-rise building with two-story group homes. Also located here are the commercial spaces. The compact homes meet the standards of our time in every way. For example, the dwellings are all-electric and equipped with all the installations that contemporary student life requires.

Electrical facilities

Van Hees installed almost all electrical installations for this project, from the infra in the grounds to all electrical equipment in the homes. These included the lighting installation, site cables, data installation, control cabling for the sun blinds, bus cabling, earthing installation, distribution boxes, power cables and gutters, intercom and evacuation systems. When the installer left the site, there stood a complete working building, ready for occupancy and use.

Large and bulky

With 735 homes, it was definitely a mega-project. For Van Hees, it is among one of the largest projects. It took more than a year to prepare the project. As soon as the tender phase was completed and the work was awarded to Van Hees, work began on the drawings and the many other necessary preparations. Van Hees arranged the right subcontractors, assembled the team with the right professionals, purchased the materials and organized the equipment. At the peak of the project, 22 mechanics were on site for Van Hees. Managing all this was a challenge in itself.

Collaboration crucial

Even though Van Hees specializes in electrical installations, on every job these installations are closely intertwined with the mechanical installations. This called for expert consultation and intensive cooperation. Based on its experience and together with the right people, Van Hees discussed all interfaces and details. These were coordinated and incorporated into a 3D/BIM model. Despite the size of the project, all installations were built together and exactly according to schedule. Van Hees therefore looks back on perfect cooperation with all parties during construction. 

Added value for the future

TU Eindhoven can offer its students comfortable housing on this modern university campus. The housing meets the latest standards in the field of sustainability. This project also provided added value for Van Hees. It has gained another considerable amount of experience in handling large-scale projects and is even more aware that it has seasoned professionals on board, who do their work undisturbed and expertly, even when the hectic pace increases. "We also know that we can count on our trusted cooperation partners, who - like us - are committed to fulfilling agreements made."