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AMG Railing designs, manufactures, and supplies innovative balustrade systems for both new construction and renovation projects, while Perfo Design Europe excels in the production and supply of perforated, laser-cut, and embossed panels. Both companies are joining forces on the Zirro & Schouls project in Leiden. In addition to over 3,300 linear meters of aluminum balustrades, AMG Railing is engineering, manufacturing, and installing no fewer than 280 lightweight aluminum balconies. Perfo Design Europe is producing all the aluminum sheet metal required for this project.
Zirro & Schouls is the first project for which AMG Railing is engineering, manufacturing, and installing aluminum balconies. The AMG Eco Balcony line, which is characterized by its lightweight design, was chosen for the 280 balconies. “The system was specially developed to minimize the load on the underlying facade and support structure,” explains Erwin Both, managing director and co-owner of AMG Railing and Perfo Design Europe. “Both the structure and the finish are made of high-quality aluminum, which combines high durability and a long service life with low maintenance requirements.”
Choosing a lightweight balcony solution requires thorough preparation, Both emphasizes. That is why AMG Railing was brought in by Ten Brinke Bouw’s project development department at an early stage of the project. “Together, we examined the technical requirements and possibilities. Because although aluminum allows for significantly lighter construction, the structural calculations must be finalized early on. By taking this into account as early as the development phase, the structure and its connection to the facade can be optimally coordinated.”
The balconies at Zirro & Schouls are built on a lightweight frame, which AMG Railing finishes with aluminum floor panels, aluminum ceilings, aluminum edge profiles, and aluminum railings. “Some of the balcony railings are fitted with glass, while others are made with non-perforated aluminum panels,” says Both. “This allows us to create different visual styles within a single technical concept. The combination of aluminum profiles, sheet metal, glass, and various railing designs creates a varied facade appearance.”
This makes Zirro & Schouls a special project for AMG Railing. For the first time, the company is handling the entire process for the aluminum balconies: from engineering and sizing to production, delivery, and installation. “That makes this project especially interesting for us,” says Both. “We’re not just a supplier of a specific component; we’re responsible for the entire balcony, from design through installation.”
In addition to the 280 balconies, AMG Railing is installing more than 3,300 linear meters of aluminum balustrades in various designs, ranging from glass balustrades to fixed aluminum panels, parapet railings, and aluminum slatted fences.
In addition, the stairwells will be equipped with aluminum handrails and balusterless aluminum slatted railings.
Perfo Design Europe manufactures the aluminum sheet metal for AMG Railing. As a result, the work of both companies complements each other well. “While AMG Railing focuses on the engineering, production, and installation of balustrades and balconies, Perfo Design Europe offers expertise in sheet metal fabrication,” says Both. “The synergy between the two companies makes it possible to organize the process holistically and to carefully coordinate dimensions and detailing. This is particularly important for a large-scale project like Zirro & Schouls.”
In addition to aluminum sheet metal, Perfo Design Europe also manufactures, supplies, and installs aluminum planters for building facades, which were developed in-house and serve as a striking feature of the facade. “The planters are functional, but at the same time they add a strong architectural element. This allows us to enhance the facade and add a distinctive detail.” Perfo Design Europe also manufactures aluminum drip edges, aluminum wall copings, and aluminum roof edges, with the majority of the aluminum being powder-coated.
With 280 balconies, over 3,300 linear meters of balustrade, and a range of additional aluminum facade components, AMG Railing and Perfo Design Europe play a significant role in the Zirro & Schouls project. At the same time, the wide variety of components requires precise coordination of design, dimensioning, production, and installation. “It is precisely because we are involved in the project so early on that we can effectively bring the various disciplines together,” Both concludes. “Ultimately, it’s not just about producing aluminum components. Engineering, dimensioning, production, and installation must all align seamlessly. By approaching this as a single, integrated process, we can work efficiently and deliver high-quality results.”
Most of the work should be completed by the end of this year.
