High-quality plastic structural frames for fireproof precast concrete facades

Construction Care developed, manufactured and delivered a total of approximately 2,000 high-quality and cost-efficient plastic standing frames for both Sonata towers Adagio and Bolero on behalf of main contractor Boele & van Eesteren. In the 2nd building layer of Adagio, for example, over 400 ultra-small in-situ window frames were integrated, which act as frames for the translucent lanterns. All the adjustment frames were produced well in time to then be delivered on demand and just-in-time to the manufacturer of the precast concrete elements.

Plastic adjustment frames

Construction Care was approached at an early stage by contractor Boele & van Eesteren to collaborate on an integrated façade solution for the Sonate towers Adagio and Bolero. "Together with MVSA Architects and Klunder Architects, responsible for the design of Adagio and Bolero respectively, Boele & van Eesteren, IBS Consultants, Vorsselmans aluminum and the constructors involved, we worked on an integrated facade solution, which met all the wishes of architects and constructors, but also the fire safety requirements for high-rise buildings imposed by the Safety Region of The Hague. We eventually arrived at a high-quality and cost-effective plastic structural frame that perfectly met all quality requirements and the architectural image," says Freek Drop, director of Construction Care. "We developed a project-specific profile from full plastic as the basis of the adjustment frames. Those frames were produced in our factory well in advance and equipped with the necessary collapsing devices. They were then delivered on demand and just-in-time to Westo Prefab Betonsystemen, where they were expertly cast into the precast concrete façade elements. As soon as those elements were ready, the aluminum facade frames from Vorsselmans were installed there."

Ultra-small collapse set frames for lantern facade

The structural frames contribute to the building structure and the wind and water tightness of the façade, but also comply with Fire Safety Class-B, as imposed by Efectis Nederland, which advised on this. For the 2nd floor of Adagio, the architects envisioned a special effect with lanterns that run like a halo of light around the building and thus also continuous in the curved corner elements. "We produced over 400 ultra-small custom cast-in-place frames that act as frames for the translucent lanterns," states Drop. "We received the order in October 2018 and the last set frames were delivered in July of this year. In order to keep the extensive pouring process going during production of the precast concrete elements, we had to deliver the necessary set frames well in advance. Good planning and clear communication between the partners was therefore crucial to the successful completion of this prestigious project on The Hague's Spui Quarter."