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In Amsterdam’s Spaarndammerbuurt neighborhood, Ballast Nedam West is building Bredius: 105 homes with a cross-laminated timber (CLT) structural framework. This is the contractor’s first CLT project. Wood construction specialist DERIX is supplying the wood and has been involved in discussions regarding details and feasibility since the preliminary design phase.
DERIX came into the picture even before a contractor had been selected. The client had opted for timber construction and was looking for a supplier with specific expertise. Johan Paul Borreman, director of DERIX Netherlands: “We want to do more than just supply wood; we also want to contribute our engineering expertise right from the start.”
That early involvement was necessary because, structurally speaking, Bredius is less straightforward than it might seem at first glance. Borreman: “There are three sections of the building that contain a lot of steel, interwoven with the wooden structure. That’s why we’re supplying both.” It is precisely at the interfaces between materials that the collaboration with Ballast Nedam really shines. “How do you anchor masonry to a wooden inner cavity wall? People turn to us for that, but we don’t have expertise in facade supports. In that area, we know where to turn to Ballast Nedam.”
This interplay also comes into play with two topics that require special attention in wood construction: moisture protection and internal sound insulation. Moisture protection is a hot topic in timber construction, especially in relation to insurability. And they found good solutions for this here. Borreman: “Organizations like Woningborg and SVK even came to visit to learn. It’s important that we’re transparent and open about this to further professionalize timber construction. The credit for this goes not only to us, but also to Ballast Nedam.” Internal sound insulation is another key consideration. “Wood is a lightweight material. So how do you ensure you don’t hear the neighbors? We’re constantly seeking new, efficient solutions, particularly for the walls separating units.”
Everything comes together at the construction site, thanks to well-organized logistics. The CLT elements are delivered from the factory in Germany to a logistics hub and transported to the construction site on a just-in-time basis. Borreman: “That requires clear coordination, but the assembly team was able to work without interruption. We were all on top of things. I’m proud of that.”
