Algeco supplies sustainable temporary accommodation

In widening the A1 motorway between Apeldoorn and Twello, Heijmans and Rijkswaterstaat are striving for the most sustainable and circular construction possible. This also includes appropriate temporary accommodation. And that is exactly what Algeco Bouw & Winkels specializes in. For example, Algeco Bouw & Winkels has created the most sustainable and circular temporary accommodation available. These themes are also central to the rental units.

We have had an excellent relationship with Heijmans for decades, begins Edward Avis, commercial manager at Algeco Bouw & Winkels. "Based on their requirements the chosen location and the project duration, we select the most efficient accommodation. This is usually already done during the tender, so that Heijmans can include the estimate in the offer." For the widening of the A1 motorway between Apeldoorn and Twello, Algeco provided not only the bulkhead shelters, but also various switching units, a storage and workshop in the form of a shed and various standalone units spread along the 15-kilometer stretch of road. "When we provide an accommodation, we do it from A to Z, so completely furnished and turnkey. So the contractor himself has nothing to worry about."

Sustainable in many ways

The bulkhead shack is constructed of wooden sandwich panels with insulation in between. "The shack is built entirely by hand," Edward explains. "There is really no more durable product than wood. On top of that, the number of transport movements is limited. In fact, the panels of the bulkhead shack are stacked on a single truck. On the A1 project, we are talking about a single-layer 12 by 21 meter bulkhead shelter. We can also build 2 or even 3 high." If you wanted to create that same surface area with units, Edward says at least four times as many trucks would be required. Once assembled, the bulkhead shack is painted in the contractor's house colors. The paint job is also intended to preserve the material. Previously, such a bulkhead shelter was heated with a gas-fired central heating boiler, but today the heating and cooling is controlled by an energy-efficient split air conditioning system with heat pump technology. "Furthermore, there are thirty solar panels on the roof, we use energy-efficient LED lighting and water-saving faucets in the shack."

Luxurious appearance

Algeco's stacked rental units are also sustainable. Edward: "It is our newest type of unit, very well insulated and equipped with LED lighting. On this project, there are also solar panels on the roof. At the A1 we connected four of these units together. They are set up as information and visitor centers for local residents and other interested parties. The units were also delivered fully furnished, complete with pantry, and in this case even fitted with carpeting instead of the regular marmoleum. This provides a luxurious look and also promotes acoustics. Furthermore, the exterior features specific stickers that underline the sustainable nature of the A1 project." Less luxurious but at least as functional is the storage and workshop area. "We have those in all kinds of shapes and sizes. The width ranges from 5 to 15 meters of free span, while the length can be adjusted by 2.5 meters. Finally, spread throughout the project, we have installed a number of standalone units, shelters and containers."

Further sustainability

With its 65 years of existence, Algeco is the reference in temporary accommodation. "We are well known to the construction sector in the Netherlands, but we are also present in the industrial, retail, hospitality and leisure sectors," Edward emphasized. "Despite the fact that our accommodations comply with the building code for temporary buildings, we notice an increasing demand for higher insulation values. We naturally go along with that, using heavier roof, wall and floor insulation. We are constantly taking further steps in sustainability. For example, there are already possibilities to collect rainwater to flush toilets and to store energy from solar panels. Finally, we are also working hard on safety. We are certified for Step 2 on the Safety Culture Ladder and have committed ourselves to achieving Step 3 this year."