Platform on concrete and steel in construction
VSF, part of Van Hattum en Blankevoort, is a foundation specialist with a preference for complex issues. The Dordrecht-based company therefore profiles itself as an expert in complex hydraulic engineering, infrastructure works, and inner-city construction. The renovation of the Binnenhof fits seamlessly into this field of work: in the heart of The Hague's city center, with complex foundation issues and vulnerable buildings, including the 13th-century Ridderzaal. But also: a particularly difficult environment in which to work. For VSF's staff, such a project is above all an exciting challenge.
According to commercial manager Daniël de Wit, VSF's strength lies not only in having motivated people and advanced equipment in-house. “Complex issues are also tackled effectively by experienced staff and intensive collaboration with clients and other partners. And that starts with getting together early on, so that everyone's expertise can be used optimally to find the best solutions and options. The hard gel injection method, for example, is not a new technique, but one that proved to be very suitable for reinforcing a number of foundations at the Binnenhof. This technique, in combination with many others, was also used in the renovation of the Mauritshuis museum a hundred meters away and in the renovation of the Haagse Passage and the underground extension of Paleis Het Loo, which recently won the Schreuders Prize 2025.”
Other inner-city projects on VSF's reference list include the basement of the new University of Amsterdam library, the construction pit with soil injection for the beautiful Wonderwoods residential complex in Utrecht, and the entrance to the Van Gogh Museum. In addition, VSF is currently active in complex infrastructure projects; projects that require that little bit extra. De Wit: “Of course, we are happy to take on average assignments, but we know that projects that involve a certain degree of complexity and require inventiveness suit us best. VSF is continuously working on digitization and sustainability. Our goal is to continuously improve and to be able to work completely emission-free in the future. For example, in addition to our own digitization team, we also have a laboratory for research and development. We also work with electric equipment in jet grouting technology, among other things, and we are developing a deep wall crane equipped with a hydrogen drive. We will continue to roll this out across the rest of our equipment. Innovation and sustainability go hand in hand at VSF.”
