Restoration of project
The chief construction contractor at WJ Projects informs Broersma about the progress of the Kings/lane construction project.
Pascal, you are responsible for the Kings/lane construction site on a daily basis. What makes this project so special project you?
"It really is an exceptional project. You can sense that this is no ordinary construction project; it is a monument steeped in history. Our biggest challenge is to preserve and restore the beautiful authentic facade. At the same time, we are going to make the building future-proof. That requires a great deal of precision, knowledge, and love for the profession. But when you see how it is already taking shape, it's really wonderful to experience."
What challenges do you encounter when restoring such an old building?
“A lot. There are details that had been hidden or faded for years due to aging, modifications, or pollution. Now that we have cleaned and stripped the facade, the original ornaments and natural stone details are coming back to life. We also realize how well the foundation was built at the time. You only see how special it is when you stand so close to it. And that is really satisfying.”
A lot of attention was also paid to the preparation, is that correct?
“Yes, absolutely. We have made mock-ups, small test walls in which we test different types of bricks and joint colors. This allows us to see exactly what looks best with the original architecture. It may seem like a small detail, but it determines the entire look of the facade. It takes a lot of craftsmanship, you need bricklayers who really know what they are doing.”
How is the contact with the buyers?
We are in close contact with the future residents of KingsLane. We discuss their personal designs and the plans for their homes with each of them individually. At KingsLane, we call this 'design your own'. Sometimes they come to take a look at the construction site, which makes their new home a little more tangible and allows us to show them how much work has already been done.
How will you ensure that Kings/lane is sustainable in the future?
Sustainability incorporated from the outset. Each home will have its own heat and cold storage system, deep underground. This system stores heat in the summer, which we use for heating in the winter, and vice versa for cooling. This makes the building gas-free and energy-efficient for heating. What you see now is mainly preparatory technology: pipes, basement tanks, Services and installations that is the basis of a sustainable building."
Can you tell me something about the insulation?
Kings/Lane was built according to the standards of the time. It is a very robust construction, but little attention was paid to insulation. We are now doing this in accordance with today's high standards, to ensure comfort and energy efficiency. New floors will be installed in the building and the penthouse will get a completely new insulated roof. The facades will be insulated and the windows will be fitted with HR++ glass. And for heating, residences will have its own heat pump, connected to a heat and cold source.
What can you already see of the end result?
Even now, during this construction phase and in November, you can see how beautifully the light residences the future residences . That says a lot about how pleasant it will be to live here soon. When you consider that we can preserve the historic character and make it completely contemporary, it makes me proud as a builder.