(Re)building at Champions League level

Monumental buildings require careful technical preparation and execution. But also a sophisticated interplay between client and construction team partners. It is building and renovating at Champions League level. Breman Utiliteit Zwolle proves that it works at this level, for example in the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam.

The Heineken Experience is a museum and attraction housed in the very first Heineken Brewery built in 1867. Currently, the building is undergoing a large-scale renovation. New spaces have also been added, with the aim of making the building more future-proof. Commissioned by Salverda Bouw and working in a construction team, Breman Utiliteit Zwolle is providing the complete mechanical installation work for the Heineken Experience, including the sprinklers and measurement and control technology.

New entrance area

"The work will be carried out in phases so that both client and visitors experience as little inconvenience as possible," says Breman project leader Jurjan Veenstra. "To overcome long queues and potentially unsafe situations on Stadhouderskade, a new entrance area has been created on the site of the old horse stables and the courtyard. An event entrance has also been created for corporate clients." The entrance area contains several monumental boilers. "We installed sprinklers throughout and created new sanitary areas. We also created a new installation for heating and cooling. At the basis of this installation are two heat pumps, while underfloor heating/floor cooling in combination with post controls via air was chosen for the delivery." In the existing building sections, the systems for heating, cooling and air treatment have been optimized and/or expanded. "A special feature here is that the air ducts - as a result of the glass roof - have been concealed out of sight and underground." 

Vertical air handling unit

Currently, Breman is putting the finishing touches on the fifth and sixth floors. "The so-called Mill Attic had already been remodeled," Veenstra says. "Here only the air treatment had to be fitted in." The remodeling of the original Malt Attic is more drastic. "This floor has been completely gutted and will soon - like the new roof terrace - become part of the visitors' tour. On this floor we are optimizing the heating and cooling. In addition, we are bringing in provisions for a bar. Most special here, however, is the air treatment. We opted for a vertical light-treatment cabinet that, including ductwork and with only three centimeters of clearance, has been fitted into the old grain silos. That we succeeded in this is a nice compliment to our efforts."