Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
Van Baaren Contractors has been building exclusive homes, commercial buildings, apartment complexes and more with craftsmanship and pleasure since 1916. Reliable, committed and with an eye for quality and sustainability. Following on from a circular commercial building for PCS in Hendrik Ido Ambacht, the new soccer facility for SV Parkhout in Nieuwegein and the Oranje Bolwerck apartment complex in Oudewater, the Schoonhoven contractor is now putting the finishing touches to the playfully designed new building for YellowBellies daycare and outdoor playgroup in Montfoort.
Because of its broad expertise and local connection, Van Baaren Aannemers was invited to make a Plan of Action and price offer for the new building. “Our office is located only 17 kilometers away from the new building,” says Lennard Schilt of Van Baaren Aannemers. “In addition, we have previously worked with Arco Architects BNA, which designed an adventurous new building of approximately 1,700 m2 that focuses on outdoor play.” YellowBellies“ locations focus on sports, health and development, he says. ”For this reason, the locations are always located near sports clubs, so the children always have access to lots of outdoor space, sports fields and playgrounds.“ In Montfoort, the new building was even built right between the soccer fields, which presented special challenges. ”For example, with regard to accessibility and supply of materials and equipment. It was really building against the sidelines of the soccer fields."
The new building has a ground and second floor, including a large roof terrace with a slide to the outdoor area at ground level. Inside, the familiar layout with basic group spaces was chosen, which are supplemented by Together & Play (mezzanine) areas, a studio, a theater room and a gymnasium. “Each (basic group) space has been given its own color scheme,” Schilt says. “The route to the spaces is also projected in a colorful line pattern on the floors and walls, allowing the children to get their bearings and navigate through the building.” Van Baaren Aannemers is responsible for the complete finish here, except for the kitchens and cabinets. From painting to wood paneling and PU molding floors, ensuring safe play areas and a nice atmosphere.
At the end of March 2025, the first pile for the building went into the ground, and by the end of April 2026, the new building is already scheduled to be occupied. “At the base of the building is a concrete foundation with an insulated hollow-core slab floor and sand-lime brick walls, with structural steel elements here and there for the shape and spans of the building.” The first floor is also a hollow-core slab floor, with a compression layer for stability and load spreading, he says. “The facade features masonry, combined with wood cladding at the first-floor level, aluminum window frames and aluminum curtain walls, most of which are fixed to a wood support structure. And the main and sub-entrance are also constructed in a ‘hybrid’ curtain wall structure, with the roof in wood. The craftsmanship of our colleagues is put to good use to realize this playful and challenging building.”
Shortly before completion, Schilt looks back on a beautiful and challenging project. “Besides the small construction site, the shape in particular makes this building unique,” he says. “There are not only curves in the floor plan, but also in the window frames, glass and paneling. In addition, we are dealing with a multitude of complex installations, which must be fitted above our ceilings. This requires careful engineering and coordination. So in this project our expertise and craftsmanship come into play very broadly!”
