The right seal for every (partial) project

Right in the center of Eindhoven and within walking distance of central station, EDGE Eindhoven is under construction: a mixed-use project with a total area of 42,500 m² in which living, working and recreation harmonize. The biggest eye-catcher is the ten-story office tower, which on completion must meet the ambitious BREEAM Excellent, WELL Core, Shell Gold and Paris Proof targets. In addition, a seventy-meter-high residential tower with 175 luxury free-sector rental apartments will rise next to it. In addition to their name, sustainability ambition and high-quality finish, both towers have one important thing in common: Celdex products ensure excellent air and water tightness in both towers.

Celdex has over forty years of experience in sealing techniques and the production of sealing products and has succeeded in developing a range that offers the right properties for every construction and industrial project. This is proven, for example, in project EDGE Eindhoven, where the office and residential tower have their own construction systems. “Whereas the office tower is provided with precast concrete sandwich elements, for the residential tower we chose tunnel construction in combination with façade-filling HSB elements,” says Ruud Robbe, Sales Manager High-rise at Celdex. The assignment for Celdex started at the end of 2024 with the construction of the office tower.

Technical and logistical puzzle 

EDGE Eindhoven's office tower is being built scaffold-free. “So the key question for contractor VOF Lichthoven (a collaboration between VolkerWessels companies Van de Ven Tilburg and Jongen) was to achieve excellent air and driving rain sealing already in the prefab phase,” Robbe said. “We surveyed the project and advised on the first 26 details. On this basis, we were eventually awarded the complete contract.” The biggest challenge here was that 133 elements had already been produced, which, moreover, had been on the bag field in Dordrecht for almost two years waiting for further action. “We assessed the quality of these elements and selected the right sealing products for each element type and connection,” Robbe said. “At the same time, new elements were being produced at Westo Prefab Betonsystemen B.V. in Coevorden, which also required the right seals. A technical and logistical puzzle that our professionals handled excellently.”

From inventory to quality assurance

Celdex handled the application consultancy completely. From project inventory to BIM elaboration, says Robbe. “In an element book, we indicated for each concrete sandwich element which seals should go where. In addition, we are responsible for execution supervision and (supervision of) quality assurance.” On the advice of Celdex, the Seal4Prefab sealing system was chosen, which covers all sealing zones (inside, middle and outside) and has been successfully tested for durability, air and driving rain tightness (up to 600 Pa). “A tested combination of specially developed products provides the desired air sealing and insulation of the inner leaf, the horizontal water barrier and the external driving rain seal. Here, the seal is detailed in such a way that any rain or building moisture in the structure can exit at any time.” 

All products were applied on the bag field and in the prefab factory by Celdex partner Simson Application. The same applies to the custom-made corner cuffs that provide both excellent sealing and a high-quality finish.

Reliable sealing for residential tower

Following the EDGE Eindhoven office tower, Celdex is also involved in new construction of the residential tower. In this subproject, external envelope specialist ZND Nedicom is realizing and assembling all HSB facade elements and cladding in collaboration with HBL Prefab. “We also have a good relationship with these parties,” says Robbe. “For the air and driving rain sealing, the Seal4Prefab system was again chosen, but in a slightly more traditional variant. Whereas a sealant foam tape provides vertical air sealing, a precast foam tape for horizontal sealing was not desirable. Per element, 21 anchors at the bottom and 21 anchors at the top provide reliable fastening, making a traditional seal with an airtight sealer combined with an elastic permanent foam seal more reliable.” An extensive engineering process also preceded the sealing of the HSB elements, he says. “For example, to ensure the correct position of the foam tape. Just after the construction period, in cooperation with ZND Nedicom, we provided a kick-off and toolbox on site, on the basis of which the application and assembly were energetically started.”

The building systems used for both towers are fully substantiated with test reports and certifications, which are handed over to the client upon completion. This creates a complete file for quality assurance.