Contractor does the math and is happy with his final choice

Consideration was given to appearance, accessibility, parking requirements, logistical needs for supplies and water flooding remediation. Sustainable materials with a modern look were chosen throughout the project. A sleek-looking trench gutter was chosen to prevent water flooding. 

Shopkeepers association decisive in the process

The Belleman is a shopping center where many retailers have their own premises. Frank van der Graaf, owner and founder of Franky's Kwaliteits Schoenmakerij, is one of these retailers and was closely involved in the project. "We benefit from the mall looking neat and tidy. Therefore, we sat down with the municipality and contributed financially to the renovation of our mall. Then, in consultation with the municipality, we did the planning and execution," said Frank van der Graaf.  

Local contractor Daams Valkenwaard, traditionally a specialist in wood materials, ornamental paving and fences, but now also known for its earthwork and infra work, was chosen for the project execution. Daams took care of the project from A to Z: from the groundwork to the lighting, and from the paving to the site furniture. 

Because the Shopkeepers Association was the initiator in the entire project, they took their time for the best possible result. Coziness, greenery and unity were central to this. The entrance to the shopping center was decorated with large flower boxes and a large modern seating island was also created in the courtyard, with planting in the middle. By using different paving materials, a distinction was made between traffic and pedestrian areas. For a careful paving choice, Daams Infra even laid several pieces of trial paving with various tiles and stones, so that the shopkeepers could experience for themselves how it felt and whether, for example, it did not become slippery in rain.

Line drainage at first glance not a logical choice

To prevent flooding, the retailers opted for a subtle and sleek line drainage system where shopping carts would not get stuck. "We saw several options of drainage systems, but this system from ACO was the best because it does not stand out and looks modern," says Frank van der Graaf. 

"Still, the ACO trench gutter was not the most obvious choice," says Hennie Heesterbeek, business manager at Daams Valkenswaard. "This was because of the high price. But when we looked into it further, it turned out that there were enormous installation advantages, which made ACO advantageous after all. The low earth movement and not having to apply a mortar product to set the channel would save us a lot of time and therefore money."  

Therefore, the ACO Multiline HD Type I V100G was chosen anyway; the robust polymer concrete gutter with the proven Sealin technology and a reinforced cast frame. On top of this gutter came the ACO Urban Design RVS Fineline trench gutter. The RVS trench grating with its minimalist shape does not disturb the paving pattern, gives a modern look to the shopping center and ensures adequate drainage.

Processing the line gutter, a calculation

And then the time had come; the 150 meters of line drainage channel was delivered. Did the installation actually go as fast as was promised by ACO? "Yes!", Hennie Heesterbeek answers confidently. "Even in practice it turned out that installation was very easy, even easier than with a competing gutter that we have used in other works. If I do the math now, I did not have to make an additional load-bearing foundation layer - since we were working in a redevelopment plan and the subsoil was not disturbed and load-bearing - and I did not need concrete. It was just a matter of setting and done. In short, it was less work. As a result, in practice, ACO proved to be more economical than other providers. Moreover, I received good advice from Marcel Sierevogel beforehand and during the process and received a nice laying plan from Fabio van Olst. Fabio and Marcel even came to have a look several times, when we were busy installing the gutters." 

Almost no inconvenience to shoppers 

Retailers were afraid of inconvenience during the renovation. To avoid this, Daams tackled the project in parts. This was a lot of logistical work for Daams because he had to lay out the required materials in parts. Frank van der Graaf looks back with satisfaction: "The cooperation with Daams went perfectly. We were constantly easily accessible, both ourselves and our customers experienced almost no inconvenience and the project went entirely according to plan." The fact that the project went according to plan is partly due to the quick time-saving installation method of the ACO line channel.  

Proud of the result

December 2020 saw the opening of the mall. Frank van der Graaf and Hennie Heesterbeek look back on the result with pride. "It was a long project, in which we did not proceed overnight," says Frank van der Graaf. "We are glad that we had a say, because as shopkeepers we benefit from keeping the shopping center looking neat and beautiful. The drainage system works perfectly and looks subtle, beautiful and sleek. It is completely contemporary and the shopping carts do not get stuck in it. The consultation with Daams and the Municipality of Valkenswaard also went well. It was a pilot project of the municipality and we hope this will inspire other shopping centers. We already had a beautiful shopping center, but now we can go on for another 20 years!"