Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
In the Nieuw-Rhijngeest neighborhood in Oegstgeest, Waal is building “De Limes”: a student housing complex with 285 independent studios, spread across a thirteen-story tower and two lower buildings. Aldowa, a metalworking company based in Rotterdam, is responsible for the metalwork, the flashing, and the decorative moldings on the facade.
De Limes is designed according to the STING concept, a housing model that combines independent living with communal living. Each student has their own studio of approximately 18 square meters with a kitchen and bathroom. Within each living group, residents share a common area with a kitchen and dining table.
The clients, Waal and Aldowa, know each other from previous projects, including One MilkyWay in The Hague. That experience made the collaboration on De Limes go smoothly, according to project manager Martien Trouborst: “Waal immediately thought of us for the typesetting and watermarks. We always enjoy working together.”
Aldowa started out as a supplier of aluminum and metal cladding, but gradually shifted its focus to facade finishing and the supply of facade products. In 2006, Allard Droste and Jan Boom took over Aldowa. Since then, the company has focused on the construction and infrastructure sectors. As a result, Aldowa has grown into a full-service supplier. “We specialize in the engineering, manufacturing, and installation of metal facade cladding,” explains Trouborst. “We have our own engineering department and production facility. So we’re truly here for custom work. Round, curved, angular—that’s what we make: always the special projects.”
At De Limes, Aldowa is supplying the metalwork for the facade: drip edges under the windows, sills, and horizontal and vertical trim. These drip edges run all the way around the building. The high-rise features vertical decorative moldings that lend the building an extra touch of sophistication. Trouborst: “The metalwork we’re creating there is unique. It’s just a little bit different from the standard. And that suits us well.” On the roof, Aldowa is installing expanded metal around the mechanical systems. This conceals air-handling units and other equipment from view. “It makes it look neat and attractive.”
Aldowa designs and engineers everything in-house, in both 2D and 3D. At its in-house sheet metal shop in Rotterdam, the material is cut to size and, where necessary, welded or rolled. After undergoing powder coating or anodizing, it is sent to the construction site for assembly.
The main challenge with this project lies in the dimensions and connections. The masonry must fit precisely against the facade, even where the building’s shape changes. Trouborst: “The connection is always the part that requires the most precision.”
What stands out about the brickwork is the choice of color, which closely matches the facade finish. The decorative moldings around the building are a deliberate design choice by Klunder Architects and give the complex a striking character. Trouborst: “Those decorative moldings are well-designed and really add that extra touch—they tie the building together. The breaks in the masonry are what distinguish a massive structure from an elegant building.”
In addition to traditional masonry, Aldowa also develops green facades with integrated solar panels and heat-generating facades. While these techniques were not used at De Limes, they demonstrate how the company is keeping pace with sustainability trends in the construction industry. Work on De Limes is still in full swing. Completion is scheduled for late 2026 or early 2027.
