Customized window frames and curtain walls help monumental building regain its former grandeur

Today it houses an Albert Heijn store and the public parking garage "Parking Scheldeplein," as well as the well-known Knijn Bowling Center. The building with its striking clock tower is undergoing a thorough makeover, which includes restoring the facade to its former grandeur and adding a new roof structure. Commissioned by the Caransa Groep, facade builder JM van Delft & zn is supplying and installing all steel facades and curtain walls for the facade renovation and the aluminum facades for the roof structure.

"The original facade appearance of the early years was characterized by the large glass sections, which were divided into small panes. Over the years, however, these were replaced by new facades without interruptions," says Danny van Spaandonk, project manager at facade builder JM van Delft & zn. "Now the original appearance is being restored and we are installing steel facades and curtain walls with panes of glass, constructed from slim steel profiles. The facade on Geulstraat differs from the other facades and will now also be more open with glazing across the entire width. This order also includes standard fire-resistant interior frames and the aluminum curtain walls for the new roof structure."

Family business JM van Delft & zn specializes in the development, production, supply and assembly of aluminum and steel window frames. So the firm carries out everything in-house, including for this project. "Since this is a very old building, nothing was standard, nor was anything identical. Everything is custom-made. We first measured everything and made the necessary calculations and drawings. Then we started the manual production of all the elements," said the project manager. "The assembly at the construction site is also carried out by our own employees. Since this building is located at a very busy location near the Amsterdam RAI and the Albert Heijn supermarket will also remain open during the work, the necessary logistics arrangements must also be made. We have already delivered more than half of the facade elements. After all, this project is proceeding in several phases. The end is planned for the end of next year."