We do like a challenge

The firm also manifests itself in various boards, for example with general manager Hans van Norel as chairman of Bouwend Nederland Region East. However, the vision of building is at least as important to the success of the construction company. After all, at Van Norel they like to choose projects that are distinctive and they do like a challenge.

In May last year, Van Norel Bouwgroep delivered Thermen Berendonck in Wijchen, the largest wellness resort in the Netherlands. The new building was constructed largely in precast concrete elements (walls, floors, columns and beams) and, according to owner Quality Wellnessresorts, is the "greenest" sauna in Europe. Sustainability results from a highly insulated building envelope, window frames with triple glazing, energy-efficient LED lighting, heat pumps, solar panels and heat recovery from shower water, saunas and kitchen. In Epe, poultry slaughterhouse Remkes will soon occupy a 4,000-square-meter pasteurization/cooking building, a 3,800-square-meter freezer warehouse and a 2,400-square-meter logistics hall. "The new cold store integrates a thick floor, which includes a stabilization layer of crushed rubble with recycled concrete. In order to achieve the BREEAM score 'Outstanding,' the highly insulated new building was equipped with solar panels, LED lighting with presence detection and daylight switching, water-saving plumbing and cooling systems with heat recovery," explains Hans van Norel. "The integration of different building parts, each with their own requirements, made this project quite a challenge."

First fully ecological school in the Netherlands

Van Norel Bouwgroep is currently collaborating on a quite remarkable project using wood as the primary building material, where natural principles and circularity are central: De Verwondering in Almere, the first ecological elementary school in the Netherlands. "The shell consists of a laminated wooden truss construction, CLT walls and pinewood hollow-core slabs, equipped with insulation. The structural sheaves consist of CLT, the remaining interior walls are mud brick or straw wall and peeled tree trunks are used as columns. The facade consists of wood frame elements with wood wool insulation and is clad with wooden slats combined with a mesh construction for natural vegetation. Vegetated interior walls are provided in the central area," said Hans van Norel. "Large windows with HR glazing provide the necessary light and an unrestricted view of the surroundings. Vegetation roofs and PVT panels were opted for on the highest roof. Each classroom is equipped with climate shutters and in the central area there are large roof hatches. This provides natural ventilation and cooling through night ventilation."

Challenges in the pipeline

For the coming months and years, many challenging projects are in the pipeline. Recently, Van Norel Bouwgroep started the realization of a Design & Construct contract for the new construction of sports complex Het Baken in Zeewolde. "In the fall of 2021, we will begin construction work on the new International School in Almere, which was awarded to us as a Design & Construct UAV-GC contract," concludes Hans van Norel. "In mid-September, we signed a construction team agreement for the realization of the new DrieKansenschool in Ermelo, and together with Peek Bouw & Infra, we won three EMVI tenders from the Department of Public Works for the construction of support structures in 's Hertogenbosch, Zevenaar and Staphorst." At Van Norel Bouwgroep, they are clearly not sitting still. 

Many projects are also in the pipeline for the coming months and years.