Sustainable and circular superstructure

With an eye on the sustainability goals of water board Hollandse Delta, the new pumping station building of pumping station Oudenhoorn is being built in a circular way by Timmer- en Aannemingsbedrijf Albert van de Graaf. For example, use is being made of a specific materialization with thermally modified cladding and there is plenty of attention for ecology and biodiversity, even in the new building.

Timmer- en Aannemingsbedrijf Albert van de Graaf is not an unknown party for Van Hattum en Blankevoort, the main contractor for Pumping Station Oudenhoorn. "We work for them with some regularity on a wide variety of projects," says Albert. "In this case, we were asked to take care of the entire superstructure of the pump pumping station, consisting of a construction of wood frame elements, for both the walls and the roof. In the spirit of circular construction, the entire foundation including the pump cellar was reused. In addition, we managed to incorporate the old frame with two French doors into the new building."

Thermally modified spruce wood

"In the context of sustainability, we proposed vertical cladding with thermally modified pine," says Albert. "It is typical of this project in which solutions that are practical and sustainable were sought together in an open manner." In thermal modification, the wood is heated to more than 200 degrees Celsius and then slowly rebalanced using steam. "In that process, the cell structure of the acidic wood changes. This ensures that bacteria and fungi no longer have an appetite for the wood, which of course benefits its longevity. Thermally modified spruce has a tremendously long life."

Bat Hotel

The walls and roof of the new pumping station building were prefabricated and delivered to the construction site. The cladding was installed on site and also fitted with a number of internal bat boxes, a requirement from the design. "We incorporated a total of eight bat boxes behind the cladding of the pumping station building. It's a veritable bat hotel," laughs Albert. "The roof of the pumping station building also includes a large hatch for future maintenance of the pumping station pump."

Solid craftsmanship

Timmer- en Aannemingsbedrijf Albert van de Graaf is not only taking care of the shell of the new pumping station building, but also the complete finishing work, from putting up the interior walls and plumbing to applying the lubricating floor and painting the window frames. "We are a company that is used to working for private individuals as well and are therefore adept at thinking along in solutions or last minute changes. We stand for a personal approach and solid craftsmanship."