In Rotterdam (The Netherlands), four so-called ERA flats were thoroughly enovated. The flats are now fully adapted to the living requirements of both today and also tomorrow. Thanks to clever use of materials, including Rockpanel Colours, the robust, no-nonsense homes also regain the shine they had lost over the years.
The four renovated flats were one of the first flats built in the 1960s in the Netherlands for which the “ERA approach” was used. Large gallery flats were built at a rapid pace via tunnel formwork. This was necessary to fill the large gaps in the housing shortage after the war. In total, more than 11,000 homes were built between 1964 and 1973 in 63 ERA flats throughout the Netherlands.
Used products:
Rockpanel Colours
Transforming outdated flats
A3 Architecten was responsible for the design of the four flats in Rotterdam. Architect Jurgen Reichard: “When people think of high gallery flats, people often think of dull, gray colossi. However, if you look at the ERA flats from a distance, then you see that the industrial character ensures robust, clear buildings, with characteristic brick end walls and plinths and a powerful horizontal concrete structure. This strength has decreased due to various renovations. We have therefore mainly focused on restoring and strengthening the original character.”
“Viervant” was the first of the four flats to be renovated, followed by “Husly”. Use of colour was an important part of the design, says Reichard. “The existing frames are painted brown-beige, the fences and consoles are anthracite. The plinth of the building is finished with mineral stone strips in warm beige-brown tones.”
The front and back of the Husly flat are covered with matching Rockpanel Colours facade panels, supplied by Jongeneel. Manager Richard Waanders explains: “We were able to order these facade panels in the same custom brown-beige color of the window frames without any problems, which greatly improved the aesthetic value of the flat. Rockpanel Colours boards are also very low maintenance, they do not rot and are insensitive to delamination. As a result, the apartments will also remain colourfast in the coming years. ”
Smat way of insulation
An important objective of the Husly flat was to improve the energy efficiency of the building. Whereas the flat used to have an F label, an A label – the highest possible – was now granted to the renovated building. Reichard: “We have used new HR++ glass for the existing window frames and the end walls were insulated on the outside. In addition, the houses are now off the gas.”
Rockpanel Colours fit in perfectly with this sustainable picture, says Reichard. “In this project, the facade panels could be used in an unventilated construction. This means that you do not need ventilation space between the board and the insulation, so that more insulation material could be used. Ultimately, such details determine whether you achieve the desired energy performance or not.”
