Round balconies and sleek choices at kimswerderweg in Harlingen

Cleverly designed and carefully executed

On the spot where a painting company stood for decades, there are now wooden floors, shiny kitchens and charging cables for electric cars. On the Kimswerderweg in Harlingen, Aannemingsbedrijf Kuin built two residential blocks with a total of 45 modern apartments. Project manager Sander Lakeman says, "We had everything under our own control here - from design to rental."

The project did not originate with Kuin, but it did become completely self-designed. "We took it over from a developer who already had a permit in place," Lakeman says. "We modified those plans so it fit better within our style and working method. Then the work began for me: technical work out, hooking up subcontractors and supervising construction."

Keeping sound out, heat in

Together, the two blocks accommodate 45 rental apartments ranging from 88 to 104 square meters. The homes received a heat pump, underfloor heating and solar panels. "Everything was built according to the latest requirements: energy efficient and low maintenance," Lakeman said. Block B is right next to the highway and thus required a smart solution for noise pollution. "We invested heavily on that, with thick facades, special glass and smart balcony solutions. That's how we turned a drawback into a point of interest."

Round shapes, sharp choices

Notable features of the design are the rounded balconies and playful facade cladding. "As a result, the buildings do not look massive at all," Lakeman explains. "We deliberately chose variety in materials and shapes, courtesy of Penta Architects of Harlingen. That did make it a bit more difficult technically - for example, when bricklaying with stone strips on rounded surfaces - but the result is worth it."

The grounds between the buildings were also carefully landscaped. Each apartment is provided with at least one parking space, including facilities for electric cars and the disabled. "And that with the train station and the center of Harlingen just around the corner," adds Lakeman. "That mix of private space and accessibility makes it a pleasant place to live."

A project that is right

The 45 apartments were completed in early 2025 and came under the ownership of Kuin itself. Thus, this project fell perfectly within the company's broader portfolio, which builds, develops as well as rents. "When you do everything yourself, you know what to look out for," Lakeman says. "You think differently about sustainability, maintenance and long-term quality."

Kuin began more than a century ago as a modest family business in North Holland and grew into a versatile player in residential construction. Today, more than 75 people work on projects in North Holland, Friesland and Flevoland. What has remained is the permanent team of partners, the short lines of communication and the West Frisian realism: rather make something good than promise something great. "And you see that reflected in a project like this," concludes Lakeman. "Tightly built, carefully executed and ready for decades of living pleasure."