Unique solution executed in steel

In the production halls of Buiting Staalbouw in Almelo, Overijssel, the machines are running at full speed. Here the immense steel table constructions are being produced that will soon support the dwellings of the Oku House. The first steel elements will be delivered in early 2023.

In the west wing of Oku House, the columns are placed in a W-shape and remain in view. In the east wing, the columns are placed straight and run through the existing building. Steel sleepers, each 50 tons each, are then placed on top of the columns in both wings, with the steel box floor above. This box floor is constructed from composite boxes that are welded together on site. "The result is a steel table construction," says Jurgen Exterkate, commercial manager of Buiting Staalbouw. "More often this kind of construction is done in concrete, but that was too heavy here."

Large sizes

The order is large, even for Buiting Staalbouw, which can count itself among the larger steel construction companies. Over 2,200 tons of steel are involved. The engineering is challenging, the labor is intense and the products are huge. "The columns have a diameter of 1 meter, a wall thickness of 30 millimeters and lengths of up to 16.5 meters," Exterkate says. "The beams above the columns have dimensions of 1 x 1.5 meters and are 21 meters long. The 'table top' is made up of 72 bins measuring 1 by 2 meters, each good for 18 to 28 tons."

Despite the large logistical flow, the work is proceeding smoothly. "We have extensive experience with jobs of this size and we regularly work with Dura Vermeer. It involved us in the work from the first moment, which allowed us to share our knowledge."