High level of finishing for closing section Paleiskwartier in Den Bosch

In the heart of Den Bosch, the Paleiskwartier is getting its final touch: Campus300. A new educational building for Avans Hogeschool and 124 student homes from BrabantWonen, together on one student campus on the Onderwijsboulevard. Meanwhile, construction is in full swing, with a few special choices and challenges.

"The shell construction went as planned," explains senior project manager Eric Nagel of construction company Van Wijnen. Just before completion, Avans decided to adjust the layout of the building for the coming school years. This was possible because the design assumed a flexible layout with a module size of 1.80 meters. "Therefore, in the finishing work, the installations and ceilings were installed first, followed by the cast floors with carpeting on top and marmoleum in the corridors. Then the interior walls were installed, on top of the floor covering. This makes it easy to move the walls if the school wants to change the layout again in the future."

That approach requires extra attention. "For example, we have to protect the flooring while there is still plenty of construction going on. Covering everything neatly and keeping it clean: that's a big job." It does ensure that the school's layout can remain flexible. 

High-quality finishes and space for meeting

The educational environment will have a remarkably high level of finishing. "We apply a lot of PET felt: sheets of recycled plastic that absorb sound," Nagel said. "You can see it in the wall finishes. Two large voids and the atrium together form the big eye-catchers and the central axis where all the walking lines converge." An attractive learning environment is also being created outside. Between the education building and the student housing there will be a green courtyard with seating areas for students. "A nice, green place for meeting; you don't often see that at a school building and makes this a unique campus. The construction of the courtyard is another challenge: it is the final piece of our work. Only after that can we start completing the front on the Onderwijsboulevard." 

Student housing nearly completed

The 124 student housing units are also advancing. There will be 22 studios and 102 apartments here, each of which will soon be shared by two students. Commissioned by BrabantWonen, Van Wijnen is working steadily: the upper floors are already in the completion phase, the rest will follow before the summer. The entrance to the bicycle and storage basement is still some time away. "We depend on cables and pipes that the network operators have to move first. Once that's done, we can tackle the front area as well."

Inner-city building with smart logistics

Campus300 is an inner-city project with little space in the surrounding area. So logistically this requires customization. On the Onderwijsboulevard side, the construction site is close to a bicycle path, which had to remain open. Nevertheless, the municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch has given Van Wijnen temporary permission to close it for a safe lifting zone. This limits the inconvenience on the walking and cycling routes for the various educational institutions on the Onderwijsboulevard.

Toward completion in September

If everything continues as planned, the first students and staff will move in after the fall break. "We are proud of what we have built here in a short time," Nagel concludes. "An educational building and student housing of high quality, in the middle of the city and at a complex location. When you work with high demands, you need good parties who go along with it. The commitment of our subcontractors largely determines the success of this project. And the result will soon be there."