Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
Always evolving. That slogan from Van Hoften Installatietechniek is aptly reflected in the Zirro & Schouls project in Leiden. From the very start of the consulting phase, Van Hoften Installatietechniek has been involved as a partner in the mechanical and plumbing systems, with a focus on knowledge sharing, innovation, and collaboration.
“After an introductory meeting with Ten Brinke in mid-2023, we joined the construction team,” says Ryan Jue, project manager at Van Hoften Installatietechniek. “Over the course of the following year, we worked intensively on the consulting and pricing process. Then, in May 2024, we were awarded the contract to install the heating and ventilation systems and the necessary sewer and water lines.”
The 780 rental apartments developed by Zirro & Schouls will soon be heated sustainably using low-temperature underfloor heating, which will be connected to a third-party thermal energy storage system. “An individual heat recovery unit provides demand-controlled ventilation for the homes,” explains Jue. “Thanks to these units, residents are assured of a healthy and comfortable indoor climate, while efficient heat recovery contributes to energy-efficient operation.”
At the core of Zirro & Schouls“ building structures lies a largely prefabricated concrete shell from Bestcon. ”We install the pipes for sewage, water, and ventilation within this concrete shell and on the concrete floors,“ Jue explains. ”Next, a layer of foam concrete is poured over this, followed by a sound-insulating tacker board onto which we install our underfloor heating pipes. All floors are finished with an anhydrite floor.“ Van Hoften Installatietechniek connects the sewer and water pipes to the prefabricated bathrooms, which are manufactured in Italy on behalf of Ten Brinke. ”We also install various mechanical systems in the metal-stud walls.”
The scale of the project and its inner-city location present a number of challenges. To minimize the amount of on-site work as much as possible, Van Hoften Installatietechniek—like its construction partners—has opted for prefabrication. “For example, the sewer pipes are pre-assembled at our workshop in Hardinxveld,” explains Jue. “We also manufacture complete panels for the underfloor heating system, on which the manifolds and controls are already fully pre-assembled and wired.” This approach ensures faster installation, consistent quality, and less reliance on skilled tradespeople. “On-site, all we have to do is connect the thermostats and underfloor heating hoses.”
Van Hoften Installatietechniek’s work on the project will continue through the end of 2026. “You can’t pull off a large-scale project like Zirro & Schouls on your own,” Jue concludes. “The key to success lies in the collaboration between work planning, engineering, and construction. With a close-knit team, we ensure that complex residential construction projects like this one are completed efficiently and successfully.”
