UB UvA in completion phase: completion Q1 2025

Putting the finishing touches on the new University Library in Amsterdam is what remains to be done. Since mid-2021, BINX Smartility has been working on the new construction, restoration and unique glass roof that will turn the building into "a meeting center of international stature. Structural engineer Ivo Spilman talks about the complex but iconic project.

The letter facade and atrium canopy - the project's signature elements - have already received extensive media coverage. But there are more special elements to name, Spilman said. "The library will have over 7.5 kilometers of bookshelves, divided into 22 rooms 4.5 meters high. These are divided with a slender suspension structure to create mezzanine floors." Another feature is the Cutting Room. "Originally this was the Second Surgical Clinic, where anatomy classes were taught. We are now restoring this space to current standards. The bleachers were too cramped to sit on: people have grown taller in recent centuries. So, in consultation with restoration architect Van Stigt, we removed a number of railings. The cutting room thus retains its original function as a presentation room." 

Achterhoekers in the capital

BINX Smartility was commissioned to complete the substructure and construct the superstructure, atrium canopy and systems (including thermal storage). "We have been involved in the project since 2021. First we picked up the engineering of the atrium canopy: the construction was the most important part of the project." Why the Groenlose company came away with the contract? Spilman names the unique solutions that BINX Smartility brought. "We obviously thought about the logistics story. This project is in one of the most inaccessible places in Amsterdam, right in the heart of the old city." From the northern port area, Zoev City delivers the goods by electric boat to the Grimburgwal, where unloading is done with a specially designed crane and dock. "For 95% of the materials, this means we only have to travel 100 meters by public road to the construction site." And those materials, there were quite a few. "To give you an idea: in the support scaffolding there was 25,000 cubic meters of scaffolding, which was 380,000 kg of scaffolding material. That was already 40 to 45 boats. After the atrium roof was on, that temporary support scaffolding had to be removed entirely by hand. That dismantling took about 6 to 8 weeks." 

Alternative installation

BINX Smartility also came up with an alternative to the air handling units for the Nurse's House. "With this installation concept with Twin-coil principle, you don't need a large heat wheel in the supply air cabinet. Therefore, the supply cabinets could be lower and still just fit under the existing wooden rafters. The return cabinets are in a different position with more free height. In this way, we were able to keep the monumental
hood preserved."

Atrium hood from Almelo 

The two old University buildings, the Nurse's House and Clinics, will be connected with a glass canopy, creating a courtyard garden while keeping the monumental facades intact. In collaboration with Buiting Staalbouw, BINX Smartility first made a mock-up of the atrium canopy. "After reviewing the mock-up, the entire canopy was prefabricated in Almelo. Then it was transported to Amsterdam in separate parts and welded together there."

Completing phase

The glazing is on, the gutters are covered and the fall protection is mounted. Since last summer, work has been going on to finish the atrium, such as the natural stone floor on the first floor and the acoustic cladding of the walkways in the tree structure. In the first weeks of the construction holiday, one more hurdle to be taken was scheduled: the liana construction that forms the rainwater drainage of the atrium canopy. The 3D rolled stainless steel pipes, with Pluvia inner pipes, form a kind of "stopper" in the funnel that had to be placed all at once. Then the canopy was truly watertight. "Production was also a challenge, especially for the rolling mill," Spilman says.

Delivery in parts

At the end of this year, the building will be delivered structurally. "We were supposed to deliver it then also installation-wise, but we got delayed because of the student protests. We couldn't even get into our construction shack. So the commissioning and commissioning of the building will be completed in Q1 of 2025."

"This is a once in a lifetime project for me. You can't help but get excited about it: this will make any engineering heart beat faster," Spilman laughed.  

Construction Info

Client
University of Amsterdam


Architect
MVSA Architects (atrium canopy and finishing) and Buro van Stigt (restoration)

Contractor
BINX Smartility, Groenlo