The office building De Brug was inaugurated on 1 may 2005 and became an icon for the city of Rotterdam. JHK Architecten designed the building and Hollandia Structures did a great job preassembling and erecting the steel structure. Prefabrication of the (steel) components provided maximum benefit with minimal space. The appearance of the striking office building is related to the nearby De Hef railway bridge – a landmark of historical significance.
The complex building site was a structural challenge. At ground level, space in and around the monumental factory complex from 1891 is scarce, but also the 24-hour production had to continue without interruption. Therefore, the decision was made at an early stage to build the superstructure in steel, so that the building could be assembled at a location other than directly above the factory. Of the structural elements, only the foundation piles and the concrete foundations were made on site.
The steel structure was assembled on the adjacent site, including the profiled steel sheets for the steel-concrete floors. The structure was then transported by multiwheels and a skid track to its final location above the factory.
About the Author:
Bruno Dursin – Managing Director at Believe in Steel. Bruno has more than 30 years of experience in promoting steel & steel solutions. His clients benefit from his extensive network within the building industry.