Future-proof, with a nod to the past

"It looks like new construction. That is a frequently heard reaction since the first houses of the Blomwijckerpad in Amsterdam are out of the scaffolding again. A nice compliment for this renovation project, which is also the first natural gas-free project of housing corporation Stadgenoot.

Text | Patricia van der Beek    Image | IJsselmonde

Project Blomwijckerpad is part of the Wildeman neighborhood in Osdorp-Oost and consists of 144 homes on Blomwijckerpad, Cromme Camp, Witte Klok and Groenpad. Commissioned by Stadgenoot and designed by Vanschagen Architects, construction company Logchies is beautifying, preserving and improving these homes. The exterior wall insulation system of Sto Isoned BV, installed by IJsselmonde, makes an important contribution to this.

Off the gas

"We are making Blomwijckerpad future-proof," says project director Rob Boomgaart of Stadgenoot. "In accordance with the ambitions of the municipality of Amsterdam for the Wildemanbuurt, our homes here are going off the gas. The energy label will be raised considerably, from F/G to A." Marije Bakker, Manager Renovation at Logchies, adds, "We are tackling the homes inside and out. In cooperation with Sto and IJsselmonde, we are packing the entire facade. We are also insulating the attics and storerooms and replacing the individual central heating boilers with connections to the district heating network. If necessary, we renew kitchens, bathrooms and toilets." Boomgaart: "About eighty percent of the residents also take advantage of the option to enlarge the bathroom."

Sustainable cooperation

Sto, as a supplier well known to Stadgenoot, was already thinking along in 2016 about achieving the energetic and aesthetic ambitions for the Blomwijckerpad. "Our high-quality exterior wall insulation system with numerous finishing options lends itself perfectly to this," says Sto project manager Paulien Beitschat. "We were prescribed in the specifications and were almost immediately involved in the construction team by Logchies, also a good relation of ours." IJsselmonde also hooked up at an early stage. "From our practical knowledge and experience, we advised on the execution method and connection details," says Jacco Oostenbrug of IJsselmonde. Bakker adds, "We prefer to work this way. In a construction team, we make optimal use of everyone's expertise. That way we know that what we come up with can actually be executed. Moreover, we gain valuable knowledge and experience that we can use on subsequent projects. With this in mind, we strive for long-term cooperation with permanent partners."

High quality finished exterior wall insulation

The exterior wall insulation system used on the homes on Blomwijckerpad is Sto Therm Classic. This proven system from Sto will be applied to the existing exterior walls. It consists of an adhesive layer containing an insulation package, a fiber-reinforced stress distribution layer and a final finish. Beitschat: "The finishing of the facades was done in close consultation with the architect. Together we gave the facade a completely new look, without ignoring the original appearance and details. Characteristic features are the mineral stone strips in light and dark color schemes, deco relief panels in the area of the bathrooms and horizontal concrete bands."

Remembrance of the Lost Osdorp

"The deco embossed panels are iconic for the facades," Beitschat continues. "These panels were designed exclusively for this project in three variants and manufactured in our factory in Germany." Architect Klaas Waarheid explains, "The panels depict the Lost Osdorp: we see in abstracted form the Blomwijckerpad, the Cromme Camp, the Witte Klok and the Groenpad." The relief panels are also inspired by the three existing murals, which were installed on the flats at the time of construction. "These 1960 artworks depict three biblical psalms and proverbs," said Truth. "Sixty years after construction, we are no longer referring to our Christian background, but to our own history."

Different than different

As a regular partner of Sto, IJsselmonde is installing the complete exterior wall insulation system, including the stone strips, concrete bands and deco relief panels. Oostenbrug: "The relief panels make the houses different from each other. It's nice to contribute to that." In total, IJsselmonde is installing 144 relief panels, one on each home. The panels are delivered to the construction site in two parts. IJsselmonde glues these panels to the reinforcement layer of the exterior wall insulation system and then finishes the panels seamlessly. "The project suits us well," says Oostenbrug. "Not only because of its distinctive character, but also because of its size, high construction pace and repetition in connections and details. Moreover, we provide the complete scaffolding, including screening and construction elevators."

The deco embossed panels define the facades.

Keeping up the pace

"The size and construction speed are also the biggest concerns on this job," Oostenbrug continued. "There are six flats involved here, which we are providing exterior façade insulation and façade finishing in three series of two flats. Our implementation team is working on this week in, week out. To keep up the pace, we work with a fixed team. Moreover, our project leader Ad van Raam is on top of the planning." Due to the corona crisis, the project was at a standstill for weeks. It could only go ahead again after the Bouwend Nederland corona protocol was in place and the contractor had a concrete approach based on it that was safe for everyone. The impact on the residents was, and still is, huge. Says Bakker, "Our resident supervisors on this job put in a full-time effort to inform and support the residents as much as possible."

Good team

"The positive is that we can still do our work at each resident's house," says Bakker. "I'm happy about that." Oostenbrug adds, "The first homes are now out of the scaffolding and look like new. The residents are also improving considerably in terms of comfort." Beitschat emphasizes that the positive results are largely due to the good cooperation and coordination between the parties involved. Boomgaart agrees: "There is a good team on this project and communication with the residents is excellent. We are going into the completion, scheduled for February 2021, with confidence."