Gealan window frames for residential complex Cornelis Buysstraat and Van Oostsanenkade Alkmaar

The municipality of Alkmaar issued a special environmental permit on August 1, 2019. No fewer than 38 residential studios were to be built at Cornelis Buysstraat and Van Oostsanenkade. The special thing about the project? The studios come from Finch Buildings and are built as modular units in solid wood. The residents are between the ages of 18 and 28, and the entire project is semi-permanent. For the first 10 years, the housing complex will serve Cornelis Buysstraat and Van Oostsanenkade, then be moved to a temporary second location, or a permanent one.

Owner is the Woonwaard housing association. The 50-year operation therefore includes two relocations. This is also possible, as the concept built by Finch Buildings fully complies with the Building Code New Construction and thus falls under permanent real estate. Because of the sustainable nature of the project, Woonwaard chose window frames from Gealan. Bas van den Eerenbeemt tells us about this high-profile project.

"We used the S9000NL base window system, finished in acrylcolor black, ral 9005."

The wood-plastic connection

"It's a high-profile project with an unusual design," Bas opens the conversation. "The wooden housing units are completely modular and the possibility for Woonwaard to move them makes this form of construction sustainable. For that reason, Woonwaard was looking for a window frame brand that fits seamlessly with the sustainable nature of the housing units while at the same time being able to connect on the aesthetic level with the special and very natural look of the architecture."

Gealan did all the detailing for the window frames. "We used the S9000NL base window system, finished in acrylcolor black, ral 9005. Concealed ventilation units from Renson were used on the window frames. The houses are constructed of solid pine from sustainably managed forests. Gealan's sustainable production methods are in line with the objectives to reduce CO₂ emissions. In total, this project emitted 568 tons of CO₂ saved, by not building with concrete, steel and brick. The way Gealan produces its profiles is in line with the desire to reduce CO₂ footprint."

Concealed ventilation units from Renson were used on the window frames.

Prefabricated delivered

The residential units were completely prefabricated at De Groot's factory, in Vroomshoop. "The entire building could be produced in a few months in this way and installed as prefabricated elements without too much inconvenience to the surrounding area. The S9000NL base frames were produced by Transcarbo Kunststof Kozijnen and were assembled by De Groot in the factory including glazing. A unique working method that is fast, efficient and clean and certainly contributed a lot to 'less nuisance' in the vicinity of the construction site," Bas concludes.