Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
A world of living options. That's what characterizes MIX Amsterdam. In the heart of Osdorp, construction is underway on 528 brand new homes, spread across six buildings. From affordable social rent to comfortable mid-rent, free sector and owner-occupied homes. In combination with stores, offices, the Verhalenhuis and a green communal courtyard garden, a lively new city center is being created, in which quality and sustainability are central. Facédo window frames and curtain walls fit in perfectly with this.
Commissioned by Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling and in collaboration with de Architekten Cie., Facédo supplied and installed 1,500 m2 of aluminum window frames for the ground, first and second floors of MIX Amsterdam, including a large number of fire-resistant window frames. “And fire-resistant window frames were also used in the towers at various positions,” says project manager Floris Buijs. “At the basis of our aluminum window frames is the Kawneer RT72 Reflex I window and door system, with an average Uwindow of ≤1.1 W/m2K. The fire-resistant window frames also meet EW30, EI30 and EI60 ratings.”
Starting on the second floor, MIX Amsterdam will be constructed with wood frame elements. “In the factory of WVH Gevelprojecten, we have already pre-assembled our window frames in the precast HSB elements,” Buijs explains. “In our factory in Velp, we additionally built in window frames into the prefabricated structural frames from Ursem Stelkozijnen, which were used on the lower floors.” Frame frames were also built in on the construction site, where Facédo had to deal with six buildings, six start times and six construction intervals. “In order to assemble just-in-time, we produced as many as 25 badges over two years, where each badge had its own color or installation method.”
To ensure a high insulation value and good sound insulation, the houses have HR+++ insulation glass, Buijs says. “This highly noise-reducing glass has a neutral color and is composed of three layers of glass separated by two gas-filled cavities. The glass has a high light transmittance (LTA) of about 75% and a g-value (ZTA) of about 53%, combined with a low U-value of 0.6 W/m2K.”
For the staircases between towers 4 & 5, 5 & 6 and the inner garden, Facédo is realizing a sheet metal facade of over 300 m2. “In addition, we supplied and installed 1,300 m2 of curtain walls for MIX Amsterdam, based on the Schüco FWS 60 and (partially) Schüco FWS 50 curtain wall system,” Buijs says. “The curtain walls have an average Uwindow of ≤1.25 W/m2K and are partially sound-reducing. In addition, they feature HR++ glazing with an LTA of 79% and a ZTA of 60%.” In this regard, the façade of the Story House stands out in particular. “Especially for this art and cultural center, we realized a complex facade with floor-to-ceiling spans and standard, less sunken and recessed cover frames, creating a special playful depth effect. A strong feat of engineering by our engineers and fitters. And the craftsmanship of our structural engineers was also put to the test, because the facade had to be partly standing and partly hanging.” An uninsulated curtain wall (the crown) was installed on top of the Story House.
MIX Amsterdam reflects not only a mix of residential options, but also of colors. Also when it comes to the window frames and curtain walls. “Whereas the entrance areas are largely anodized in C33 (Medium Bronze), the bulk of the window frames are powder coated in RAL 7039 (quartz gray),” Buijs says. “A portion is also finished in RAL8029 (Pearl Copper), while for the curtain walls, RAL8029 was chosen in combination with RAL1035 (Pearl Gray). To avoid color differences in the facades, we had most of the powders pre-purchased by our system suppliers. And the non-system parts were also powder coated at the system houses.”
