When window frames take on a velvet look...

The Van den Steen van Ommerenstraat in Nijverdal is a beautiful location. "It is quite unique that you can build a ground-level house in the center of Nijverdal," says architect Geert Nijhoff. He designed 11 of the 23 homes in the project. In two of these homes, VEKA SPECTRAL, VEKA's new color system, was used for the first time in the Netherlands.

On the one hand, the tranquility of a safe residential street with lots of greenery. On the other hand, the lively center of Nijverdal, including a train station, the theater and shopping facilities around the corner. This combination pleased the clients of Nijhoff, including two couples.

Plastic frames with outstanding technical properties.

Neighbors remain neighbors
The residents of Van den Steen van Ommerenstraat 2 and 3 knocked on Nijhoff's door together: "The two couples first lived elsewhere in Nijverdal and were already neighbors there. They had bought two plots next to each other because they wanted to remain neighbors."

A special assignment: "I had not experienced this before. They wanted modern homes that were similar, yet not quite the same. Furthermore, they wanted a lot of living space, with a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. The couples would like to grow old together here."

Nijhoff designed two homes that are, so to speak, each other's brother and sister. "The differences include the choice of stone type and the floor plan, which is tailored to individual needs. The window arrangement per house is also different."

VEKA SPECTRAL ensures color contrast
The two homes require little maintenance, exactly what the clients wanted. The choice of plastic window frames fit the bill. Nijhoff offered color advice: "The homes have a white superstructure. To prevent them from looking clunky, you then have to contrast with a dark color."

This advice was followed. At Ekkel and Ekkel Kunststof Kozijnen in Nijverdal, the residents had plastic window frames made with the VEKA profile SOFTLINE 82 NL RETRO. These window frames are equipped with VEKA SPECTRAL in the color anthracite ultramat. Windows with VEKA SPECTRAL are distinguished by their special look and feel; they have a velvety appearance. In addition, plastic window frames with VEKA SPECTRAL have outstanding technical properties. Thanks to the special lacquer-finished surface, the frames are highly scratch and wear-resistant, as well as extremely UV- and weather-resistant.

Learning from each other
Individually, but also with the couples together, Nijhoff had a lot of contact. "As a result, you learn from each other. People look at each other's design. How does the other person do it and can I maybe do something with that? Conversely, it can also confirm people in their choices." That this works pleasantly, Nijhoff experienced in the CPO (Collective Private Ownership) project on Van den Steen Van Ommerenstraat, which he initiated himself.

"When I heard that the municipality was going to issue lots, I worked hard, along with officials and the General Elderly Association Hellendoorn, among others, to ensure that land would be set aside for a CPO project by seniors. That succeeded."

Why is CPO important? "There are target groups, for example seniors, that are in danger of being snowed under, even though there is a market for them. When you bundle them together, you are stronger."

The window frames are not only scratch and wear resistant but also UV and weather resistant.

People more important than technology
CPO emerged during the crisis and made a lasting impact. For many architectural firms, the crisis was a difficult time. That was also true for Nijhoff Architects, a family business in which grandfather, uncle and father Geert Nijhoff presided. "But now the work is flowing nicely."

How does it stand out in the marketplace?
"It is important to keep an eye on where people are. That sounds logical, but in large projects for new construction or schools, for example, this is not obvious. In the construction world it is very often about the technology and the installations. But you can get carried away with that. In large projects with many parties, it can be easy to forget how people move in the space and how they experience the space."

An architect who stays focused on people has added value. "Especially now that construction seems to be moving from a demand-driven market to more of a supply-driven market. Individuals should not be forced into a straitjacket, but be able to make the choices that suit them!"

Text and Image: John van der Meer