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In downtown Eindhoven, Theo Boons worked on the large-scale Nieuw Bergen project. Danny Hapers oversaw the installation of the plumbing and mechanical systems in a project characterized by variety, customization, and a different approach to work for the originally Belgian company.
Theo Boons is a specialist focused on mechanical and electrical systems for large-scale projects. The company handles, among other things, plumbing, water lines, heating, and ventilation. What stands out is the strong link between engineering and execution. “Teams in the office and on the construction site work closely together, allowing plans to be quickly put into practice,” says Hapers. This approach enables Theo Boons to scale up flexibly and organize projects efficiently.
Theo Boons focuses on both the Belgian and Dutch markets. One of its projects is Nieuw Bergen in Eindhoven. This new-construction project consists of seven residential blocks with a mix of rental and owner-occupied units, which required a flexible approach. Theo Boons“ role in the project was clearly defined. The company handled the installation of drainage pipes and water systems in the apartments. In addition, the technicians installed the plumbing fixtures. ”Here, we specifically handled the sewer and water lines. On other projects, we also handle ventilation, but for Nieuw Bergen, a different specialist was brought in for that.”
What makes Nieuw Bergen special is the combination of rental and for-sale units within a single project. The for-sale portion, in particular, entailed extra work. “For the for-sale homes, residents were allowed to choose their own bathroom fixtures. That means no two homes are exactly the same. Buyers made their selections in advance, within a set budget, in our own showroom.” Based on those selections, drawings and specifications were created. “We then received those back and had to coordinate everything accordingly during construction.” According to Hapers, that required tight coordination. “We were dealing with about a hundred homes where everything could be just a little different. You have to organize that well; otherwise, it won’t work.”
For Theo Boons, this project was also special in another way. The company operates in Belgium and the Netherlands, and there are differences between those countries. That required some adjustments. “The way of building is really different. Plumbing remains the same, but the floor construction differs significantly. In the Netherlands, a lot of concrete is poured directly into the floor. In Belgium, we’re used to working more on top of the floor.” Those differences made working in the Netherlands a bit of a challenge at first. “You have to adapt quickly and pay close attention. But we’re used to that.”
Hapers looks back on the project positively. “We’re very proud of our work.” The team will carry this experience forward to future projects. “You learn something new every time. Next time, you’ll approach it just a little more intelligently and be able to improve the quality even further.”
