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What is the secret of successful cooperation in a market that increasingly demands creativity from all parties? We are talking to Jurjen ten Berge, Head of Business Bureau at Appel Beton in Opmeer and Richard Ooms, Head of Business Bureau at Ursem Modular Construction Systems in nearby Wognum, also in West Friesland. The reason for this conversation? The construction of 1,171 homes in the Waldorp Four project in The Hague. This project is considered the largest modular construction project ever in the Netherlands. Their vision of collaboration? “Above all, you have to use each other's knowledge.”
Waldorp Four is one of the most extensive modular housing developments in the Netherlands. On the site opposite the current Megastores, the apartments are rising, providing a major impetus for the further transformation of the Central Innovation District. Construction is slated to begin in 2024. With a total of 1,171 housing units, the project reaches an exceptional scale with a height of approximately 70 meters, which also makes it the tallest modular complex in the Netherlands.
The realization is taking place according to a modular construction concept. Appel Beton's 1,748 modular floors form the basis of the various modules. The building modules are produced in the factory in Wognum, at Ursem Modulaire Bouwsystemen, after which they are placed and assembled on site. This working method results in a greatly reduced construction time, less disruption to the surroundings and a considerable reduction in material loss.
All this can only produce a successful end result when there is good cooperation. Ten Berge: “We have been working with Ursem Modular Bouwsystemen for about six years now. We know each other through and through. Obviously, the most important thing is that the agreements you make are kept. At the same time, it is essential that you show understanding for each other's interests. Consider each other as partners, don't think in the contractor-supplier relationship.” Ooms agrees. “You have to be willing to delve into each other's processes. If you do that well, then you know you are not hindering each other's growth and development. It's also important to be transparent. Especially if you are developing relatively difficult products. It has to click at every level: at the engineering level, at the corporate office level and at the management level. Yes, you do business with each other, but having a personal click is also relevant. Because precisely when there are unexpected issues or challenges, you have to be able to think in a solution-oriented way.”
“We started a process within the project around parametric modeling, in which all parties involved actively participate,” says Ten Berge. “This approach makes our design and decision-making more efficient and flexible. Parametric modeling enables us to quickly explore different scenarios, make data-driven choices and strengthen cooperation between disciplines. This allows us to work purposefully on innovative and future-proof urban planning solutions.”
According to the pair, it is precisely from this collaboration that the innovative force necessary to successfully tackle a project like Waldorp Four, for example, emerges. Ooms: “As a manager I feel responsible within my organization for cranking up that innovative power. We need a culture where you have to be able to ask each other a lot of questions. You must also always ask yourself whether processes can be smarter and more efficient. The main challenge in the field of innovation is how, for example in the production of floors, you can do this with less labor. With the precast concrete floors, for example, we already include the floor heating, the complete installation and a sunken shower corner including slope in the production process. So we are always looking for innovative possibilities.” Ten Berge explains the ambition to become increasingly sustainable and green. “We are constantly looking for opportunities to lower the MKI of our concrete. We need to gain our knowledge everywhere. In addition, we are constantly looking for new raw materials. And yes, I also see it as my job within the organization to utilize the knowledge of all colleagues as much as possible.”
The sum of those two different corporate cultures is therefore, according to Ten Berge and Ooms, the basis for success. “Modular construction has been somewhat underexposed in the Netherlands for many years,” they say. “Waldorp Four is really a project with which we prove that modular construction is therefore also possible for large projects. If we were to build traditionally in The Hague, we would need about 56 months. Now, through our joint working method, we have managed to reduce this to 36 months. Smart cooperation and making use of each other's innovative strengths thus produces a faster end result. And that is exactly what the market wants to see.”
Appel Beton is a renowned manufacturer of precast concrete solutions with a solid base in West Friesland. The company has its roots in Opmeer, is part of De Hoop Terneuzen BV and in recent decades developed into a specialist in precast concrete products for residential construction, utility construction and agricultural applications. Through a strong focus on standardization combined with customization, Appel Beton can efficiently respond to a variety of construction assignments, from precast foundation structures and custom-made specials to complete floor and roof elements.
The production facility in Opmeer is the beating heart of the company. Various concrete elements are produced here under controlled conditions, including module floors, foundation beams, storage and garage floors and concrete building elements. This working method enables a high degree of quality and reproducibility, resulting in predictable construction processes and fast assembly times on site. Reducing the construction site process to assembly work significantly shortens the structural phase and reduces failure costs.
Sustainability plays an important role in our business operations. Appel Beton invests in efficient production processes, careful use of materials and logistical optimizations. Limiting transport distances, reducing waste and focusing on the reusability of elements are important principles.
For clients in both the construction and agricultural sectors, Appel Beton is a reliable partner who thinks along with them about structural safety, feasibility and planning. Thanks to the combination of experience, technical knowledge and continuous product development, the company has built up a recognizable position within the Dutch construction chain.
Ursem Modular Construction Systems, based in Wognum, is among the pioneers in the field of industrial and modular construction in the Netherlands. In fact, Ursem is considered one of the oldest modular builders in the Netherlands. The company develops and produces complete building modules that are largely finished in the factory, including facades, installations and interior parts. At the construction site, these modules are then assembled into fully-fledged residential or residential buildings, ranging from apartment complexes and student housing to care facilities and temporary or permanent housing concepts.
At the heart of the method is a highly industrialized production process. Prefabrication under controlled conditions makes it possible to work with high precision, leading to consistent quality and a greatly shortened construction process. For clients, this means shorter construction time, less on-site inconvenience and a more predictable process. Moreover, modular construction offers the possibility to implement projects in phases and to scale up or down flexibly.
Sustainability and circularity are important pillars within the company's vision. Modules are designed with an eye on energy efficiency, reuse of components and future relocatable or adaptable use. In doing so, the company is responding to current challenges in the construction industry, such as the need for affordable and sustainable housing within urban areas. In other words, the commitment is to flexible structures with a permanent character.
With a growing number of completed projects and a clear focus on innovation, Ursem Modular Construction Systems contributes to the further professionalization of modular construction in the Netherlands. The company distinguishes itself by an integral approach in which design, engineering and production are closely coordinated from the beginning.
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Our mission With a shortage of housing, the Netherlands faces a major challenge. We see it as our mission to work with you and our products to build enough housing in the coming decades. Precast concrete is the solution for this: a high-quality product that accelerates the construction speed of your project, regardless of weather conditions. Even when [...]
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