Platform on concrete and steel in construction
Renovation of the Binnenhof: the steel structures
Building J and K are two monumental buildings that are part of the immense Binnenhof complex. Vic Obdam is involved for both projects for the engineering, production and assembly of the steel structures, which are mainly used to realize new spaces under the roofs. Complex work, mainly because the reality is not always as shown on the specifications and archive drawings. That is why the steel fabricator has in-house all the disciplines needed to make this project a success. That starts with measuring.
According to director-project leader Oscar Obdam, renovating buildings like the Binnenhof does not begin with archive drawings. “After demolishing the structural components, our measurement service makes a pointcloud of the existing structure. We put this pointcloud into our theoretical 3D model. For example, we discover that a wooden column, basically conceived straight, is a ‘banana’ in the work. This column needs to be reinforced with steel. We proposed an alternative construction to make it feasible, which can have considerable consequences. And so the buildings of the Binnenhof are full of surprises.”
Dealing with surprises is not a problem for the steel builder. Obdam: “In renovation practice, it's about controlling the entire line: our own engineers, our own production and - deliberately in projects like this - our own assembly crew. That crew is ‘the eyes’ on construction. And those eyes come back to the office every afternoon, even if it's only for five minutes: a quick visit to the draughtsman or structural engineer, to find out what's really going on. That short feedback allows you to improvise without guessing.”
In Building J, new storey floors under the roof are currently being constructed. “With the limited maximum floor load of 200 kg/m2, your steel elements are then quickly too heavy,” Obdam continues. “And they also have to be lifted into the building via an attic window. Then suddenly our steel is not a delivery, but also becomes a logistical issue with additional detailing work beforehand. To this end, structural divisions were made, such as for the largest beams, which were brought inside in threes. The steelwork is an ‘Ikea package’ anyway because welding is not an option here.” That is why contractor Nico de Bont engaged Vic Obdam early on: not to supply steel, but to help measure, calculate and make the work feasible from the start.
