Living on the quay

Commissioned by BPD, Salverda Bouw is realizing a new construction project there in a construction team context, designed by VdpArchitects, with 77 rental and owner-occupied apartments and 7 commercial spaces. The construction company from 't Harde will deliver the apartments turnkey to the individual buyers and the investment company as owner of the rental apartments. Construction work began in early October 2020 and the project is scheduled for completion in the 3rd quarter of 2022.

The sites on the Oosterhamrikkade in Groningen have been transformed in recent years from industrial sites to housing locations. Since Oct. 1 of last year, another interesting housing project has been in full swing: Karaat by area developer BPD. "Together with the developer, VdpArchitects and the other construction partners, we are working in a construction team to realize this residential complex with two- and three-room apartments. The project includes 35 owner-occupied apartments and 42 free-sector rental apartments, which have meanwhile been taken into the portfolio by an investment company. As general contractor, we first discuss with the individual buyers what their specific wishes and expectations are. Clear specifications were also drawn up in advance for the rental apartments. After all, all residential units will be delivered turnkey. There will be 7 commercial spaces in the plinth of the building," says Wilbert van de Weg, project manager at Salverda Bouw. "A project like this is right up our alley. We now have more than 70 years of experience in the new construction of homes and utility projects, as well as in the maintenance and renovation of homes, commercial buildings and hotels. We also specialize in concrete construction and concrete renovation."

Prefabricated where possible

The construction team deliberately chose to build the building with prefabricated building elements as much as possible. For example, the construction consists of hollow concrete walls, which are filled on site, and wide slab floors. The wood-frame end walls are completely finished in the factory, even with frames and glazing, and then delivered to the construction site and assembled. "By building as much as possible prefabricated, we can work faster and also do not have to provide scaffolding. Only for finishing the facade will there be scaffolding. Around the precast elements will be a shell in masonry, which consists of a mix of four different facade bricks in a dark red color, finished with anthracite-colored joints," adds the project manager. "Other striking facade elements are the gold-colored aluminum window frames and the French balconies in black steel, the spacious balconies, also finished with anthracite black railings, and at street level the arched openings, which refer to the industrial character of the site."

Pleasant and sustainable outlook

The future buyers have pleasant prospects and look forward with anticipation to their apartment on the quay. The construction team is also paying ample attention to the sustainability of the project.    

"The entire complex is gasless and insulation in facades, roofs and floors meets all standards. A thermal storage system combined with heat pump systems provides heating and cooling and generates domestic hot water. All apartments and commercial spaces are equipped with underfloor heating, and a ventilation system with heat recovery ensures a healthy indoor climate," Van de Weg concludes. "In addition to a tight time schedule, the logistics in particular pose the biggest challenge. After all, Karaat is close to the busy center of Groningen and we have to take this into account when transporting, unloading and loading building elements and materials."    

Project info 

Specialist shows flexibility in design and assembly of E and W installations

The Karaat project with its apartments and commercial spaces makes an attractive contribution to the skyline of the Oosterhamrikkade in Groningen. Salverda Bouw BV is realizing this project and engaged Aalbers Installatietechniek for the electrical and mechanical installations. 

"We were approached by the main contractor in early 2019 and, in close consultation, designed the technical installations 'clash-free' so that there were virtually no uncertainties during the construction process. The entire project was prepared with BIM engineering, which posed no obstacles for us, as we have been working with BIM for the installations for some time," says Henk Meijer, director at Aalbers. "Still, this project brought the necessary challenges. While modeling the foundation, we had to go to a lot of trouble to find spaces in the foundation beams where we could make cutouts for the piping. The original designs were also based on individual heat pumps with a source, but later the decision was made to use a central CHP system with a 5-pipe system, to which other buildings will later be connected. We are proud to be able to contribute to such a prestigious project."

Construction Info

Client 
BPD - Bouwfonds Area Development, Amsterdam

Architect 
VdpArchitects, Groningen

Main contractor 
Salverda Bouw, 't Harde