Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
For the restoration of the monumental ARTIS Aquarium, Jonkers Steel Frames supplied and installed a series of exceptional steel windows and doors. Curved profiles, fire-resistant requirements, difficult assembly locations and a demanding indoor climate: the work demanded precision and craftsmanship. And that is exactly what the family business from Urk excels at.
ARTIS' aquarium, built in 1882, underwent a major restoration after salt water caused damage to concrete and natural stone. In the process, not only was its historic character restored, but the technology was also completely modernized. For example, even the water filtration systems were given a place in plain sight, thanks to the steelwork of Jonkers Steel Frames.
In the restoration of the aquarium, Jonkers Stalen Kozijnen played a visible and invisible role. The family business from Urk supplied and installed steel windows and doors for the technical room, among other things. This ‘machine room’, where the water filtration system runs, is now accessible to visitors. “Normally in this kind of room you work out of sight,” says Maarten Jonkers, director of steel window frames at Jonkers Bouwmetaal. “But here the technology becomes part of the experience. Nice that we could contribute to that.”
The steel window frames used had to meet strict requirements. For example, many of the frames were fire-resistant, and there were unusually shaped windows among them, including a large, round one that is visible both inside and out. Jonkers: “It was technically quite a challenge. Curved profiles, beveled edges, cantilevers, you name it. And all that in a humid environment with strongly fluctuating temperatures. Then you really have to make sure that your product fits perfectly and is well preserved.”
The steel window frames not only had to meet technical requirements, but the installation also required craftsmanship. “There were really complicated structural recesses between them. If it then fits 100% in one go, our craftsmen are really proud of that. That's real craftsmanship.”
Jonkers Steel Frames regularly works for contractor Salverda. “She knows what we can do. We very often provide project-specific solutions so that the contractor can work as efficiently as possible for its clients.” At Jonkers, four brothers work together on steel solutions for construction. That family bond is reflected in the way they work: short lines of communication, reliability and a long-winded approach. “We are a flat organization, walk right in to each other. We want to be there for our customers for the long term. That ensures that we can move quickly and keep appointments. Our customers appreciate that.” And yes, the project is also alive among the mechanics. “Normally we often work for somewhat larger projects with more standard window frames, but once in a while we do a more special job like this. Everyone knows ARTIS. If you walk there and can say, ‘we made that,’ that's just beautiful. We work a lot for commercial construction, so we don't often see our own work. This remains visible to everyone. That also makes it special for us.”
